This tree has been known for many years as the tallest tree of any species recorded in New Zealand. It was named the 'Frank Peper Tree' in 1984 by Burstall and Sale and was profiled as tree number 99 in their book 'Great Trees of New Zealand' (although Mr. Pepers' name was incorrectly published as 'Peper'). Frank Pepers was a Forest Service officer and his great enthusiasm to have the tree measured and photographed led the authors to name the tree after him. The tree has been alternatively and more commonly referred to as the 'Waitati Gum'.
The tree is situated in the grounds of the former Orokanui Psychiatric Hospital, now the Orokonui Eco-sanctuary, a 307 hectare conservation project contained within a predator-proof fence.
The original planting of the 2.4 ha single aged stand occurred in about 1870. Since then the trees have shown exceptional growth. Measurements have been recorded several times, 58.8 m. in 1968 and 69.1 m in 1982, and although the methodology is unknown, spike marks on the tree indicate that it may have been climbed and tape-dropped on one of these earlier occasions.
In July 2004 a team of local arborists climbed and documented the height to be 77.4 m. A full account of this was published in the NZArbor 'Tree Matters' magazine which can be referenced online at www.nzarbor.org.nz. (Cadwallader 2011)
References; Mark Roberts pers. comms. 7.4.11 & 14.4.11, Richard Catterall pers. comm. 10.1.12. NZArbor 'Tree Matters' issue 23, Sept. 2004, Burstall, S.W. & Sale, E.V. 1984 'Great Trees of New Zealand', NZ Forest Research Inst. Mensuration Report No. 23 1970 (unpublished).