The Dacrycarpus dacrydioides is the tallest tree in the New Zealand forest growing to 60m plus. It is also more commonly called Kahikatea (Maori name), or White Pine (Timber name). Often seen in pure close grown stands in wetter swampy areas in both islands where the root system often forms raised and buttressed contortions to allow better aeration and stability. The large old fruiting specimen in the image below was lit up bright orange with this massive fruit loading in early April this year, easily seen from several hundred metres away. Where a group or isolated tree has been spared they make a very uplifting sight and its such a shame that so many of the largest were cleared for farming or for not very durable timber.

The lower image shows a small group of close grown trees at Tregrehan. I have tried to mimic conditions that they would be happy with in their natural situation. These trees are about 30 years old now and really starting to grow quickly when compared to other NZ Podocarpaceae. They are next to a stream and are happy in water for much of the winter where they have pushed on to 15m tall already. I think that a larger group is in order so i’ll aim to extend the gathering over the next few years.