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Tree Information x

Identifier: NR/0802
Tree Type: Single
Registered By: Cadwallader, B.G.
Registration Category: Notable tree – International interest
General Notes:


 x
'Te Matua Ngahere' - Father of the Forest, is considered the second largest living Kauri tree in New Zealand although it achieves greater points that Tane Mahuta. It is also considered to be the oldest out of the two largest living Kauri trees and is estimated to exceed 2000 years old. The tree was discovered by Nicholas Yakas in 1928 when he and other men were working to build the road that is now known as State Highway 12.
Ref; Department of Conservation, Te Matua Ngahere Walk track notes.

'The often quoted height (29.9 m) volume (208.1 m3) and diameter (522.6 cm) of Te Matua Ngahere is taken from Burstall and Sale's 1984 book 'Great Trees of New Zealand. The calculations were made using forestry methodology of the time and were sourced from a 1971 New Zealand Forest Service survey of 13 named kauri (and later 20) in Waipoua and Omahuta Forests. The volumes established for each tree were of merchantable timber volumes inside bark. The 2002 measurements quoted on this record are taken from visiting U.S.A. tree researcher Robert Van Pelt's calculations where he used very accurate laser based technology and tree measurement methodology.' (Cadwallader 2011)

A storm in July 2007 caused considerable damage to the tree, with the loss of one major leader and several branches. The crown has been significantly reduced. The highest foliage was measured at 38 m above the viewing platform.
(Smillie 2016)


ref: Burstall, S.W. NZFS, Forest Research Institute, 'Mensuration Report No. 16, 1971 (unpublished)', Burstall S.W. & Sale E.V. 'Great Trees of New Zealand' 1984, Robert Van Pelt 2002 & 2009 NZ Summary spreadsheet.

Single Tree Details

Genus: Agathis
Species: australis
Common names: kauri,
Given Name: 'Te Matua Ngahere'
Height: 37.40m
Height measurement method: Laser Impulse 200 LR
Height Comments: (none)
Girth: 1676.6 cm
Girth measurement height: 1.37 m
Girth Comments: At the USA standard height.
Diameter: 533.7 cm
Crown Spread A: 30.00m
Crown Spread B: 30.00m
Avg. Crown Spread: 30.00m
Actual Planting Date: actual date not specified
Approx. Planting Date:
e.g. circa. 1860
Current Age: not known years
Tree Health Description: Significant storm damage suffered in 2007
Tree Form Type: Single Trunk
Number of Trunks: 1
Tree Form Comments: 10 metres to the first branch.
Champion Tree Score: 807
Local Protection Status: Yes
Tree Present: Yes
STEM Score: 0

Observations

Date Observer Action
25 Jul 2002 Van Pelt, R.
24 Jan 1971 Lloyd, R.C, Lawn, R, et al NZFS

Location

Lat/Long: -35.608314 / 173.530167
Location Name: Waipoua Forest
Address: State Highway 12
Suburb:
City/Town: Waipoua
Region: Northland
Location Description: The 730 m walk to the tree is well surfaced and takes 20 minutes one way. It is very important that you keep to the walking track at all times. kauri have very sensitive surface roots, and foot traffic around the trees endangers their life span and may potentially spread the PTA disease that is threatening them.
Public Accessibility: Department of Conservation
Local Authority: Far North District Council

Images

Preview Credit Date
Matt Smillie 24 Apr 2016
Matt Smillie 24 Apr 2016
Patrick Reynolds 04 Feb 2008
Miguel A. Monjas 28 Mar 2005
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