This property was purchased in 1959 by Cliff Donaldson. At the time it was mainly gorse and weeds and a bit larger. Some sections have been sold over time. The remaining land is about 3/4 of an acre and all heavily planted. Plants are from 40 to 20 years old, and most of the older plants have formed a high canopy. Donaldson served an apprenticeship at the Dunedin Botanic gardens from 1948 to 1960, and for some time worked in the Native area. During this time he was amazed at the number of Natives which did not or were not grown here. So over time he has planted many rare and (for the south) unusual plants. There are many important trees in this collection and it is hoped that the work done on the property will ensure the trees get protected well into the future. There are many other fine trees here.
A short list of important plants. All from data with dates and Stem merit points collected during the 2001 DCC Tree survey.
10.8.01 Podocarpus totara 186
13.08.01 Metrosideros robusta 126
13.08.01 Metrosiderous kermadecensis 132
13.08.01 Agathis australis 126
13.08.01 Knightia excelsia 147
13.08.01 Beilschmiedia tawa 147
13.08.01 Cordospartium stevensonii 153
13.08.01 Libocedrus bidwillii 144
13.08.01 Elaeocarpus dentatus 156
Notes by David Baird 2005.