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Agathis NT2 oldest in Pukekura Park
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Excerpt from “The Notable Trees of New Plymouth”, 2002
Author: Cory Smith, Editor: George Fuller
Based on a review of S.W. (Bob) Burstall’s Mensuration Report # 19, 1973.
Notable Tree No NT 2
"Monument Hill" p15
NATIVE TREE: 2
SPECIES:
Agathis australis.
COMMON NAME(S):
Kauri.
B.B CATEGORY:
Native Historic Tree - Local Interest.
ORIGINAL READINGS
LOCATION:
Foot of Monument Hill, Pukekura Park.
DATE MEASURED:
1969
HEIGHT:
66 ft (20.1 m)
CANOPY SPREAD:
-
DBH:
24 in (61 cm)
BURSTALL'S NOTES: The following is from a letter by W.W. Smith, a well-known natural historian and
custodian of Pukekura Park, 1908 to 1921, to the Parks and Reserves Department
dated 4th May 1936: "The young tree, when seven years old was presented to the
park by the late Captain Waller in 1909. It grew for two years in the lawn where the
larger of two Puriris are now growing. In March 1911 it was planted where it now
grows. I attribute its rapid and vigorous growth to its being planted in the rich black
soil with which the walk was made. This soil was thrown out from the bottom of the
extension of the lake above the upper bridge, by a gang of Maori's who completed
the work. The tree is growing in a warm and sheltered valley, which also greatly
favours its growth."
CURRENT READINGS
UPDATED LOCATION: Pukekura Park, 65 m from the upper, smaller, bridge on the track heading towards
Brooklands through the Rhododendron Dell.
DATE MEASURED:
30th January 2002
HEIGHT: 24.3
m
CANOPY SPREAD:
13.3 m; only one reading possible as the east to west canopy is overhanging the
lake.
DBH:
86.9
cm
REMARKS:
A healthy, superb specimen (Fig. 3) that when recorded had large quantities of gum
dripping down the lower trunk. It is not altogether typical of a kauri due to formation
of strong branches at a low level.
(*Medbury, 1986: Ht = 22.8 m; dbh = 77 cm. 1928: Ht = 10.2 m.
1938: Ht = 15.2 m; dbh = 34 cm. 1950: Ht = 16.9 m; dbh = 49 cm.
1982: dbh = 73 cm.
Said to be the largest kauri outside it's natural range). +This observation is not valid
and cannot be sourced.
It is not recorded where the 1928 and 1938 measurements were sourced. The 1950
measurement was supplied by J. W. Goodwin and the 1982 by G. Fuller.
