Cultivated and later planted by Senior Forest Ranger A.W. Wastney on NZ Arbor Day August 9, 1951 (Nelson Evening Mail). It was grown from seed received from E.D Merrill of the Arnold Arboretum in 1949. Mr. Wastney germinated 7 seeds with only 3 surviving (C. M. Smith Oct 1949, NZ Journal of Forestry pp. 145-148). This one was gifted to the City of Nelson.
One of the finest specimens in NZ and was at one time reported to be the largest combining height and girth (Great Trees of New Zealand, Burstall & Sale 1984). A well known specimen tree in NZ, often referenced and has had an excellent recorded history of growth over the years. The tree is currently in very fine shape with perfect symmetry. The tree's primary feature is the extensive buttressing. Girth at ground level is 12.35m, Diameter 3.93m (2006). The two other trees Wastney cultivated were gifted, one to the Cawthron Institute and one to the late Prof. J. S.Tennant of 19 Tosswill Road. 'A New Zealand Survey of Metasequoia glyptostroboides' Cadwallader B.G. 2009