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The New Zealand Pohutukawa Tree (Metrosideros excelsa)
Information has been referenced from DOC and Project Crimson.
Photos by Andrew Whyte.
 Pohutukawa
are known as New Zealand's native Christmas tree because of the bright
red blooms which decorate the trees during the Christmas/summer season.
In Ohope these magnificent trees are abundant creating a beautiful backdrop
to the beach. One
of the largest stands of Pohutukawa forrest in the North Island can be
found in the Ohope Scenic Reserve to your right as you desend Ohope Hill.
This forest is home to many native birds including the endangered Kiwi.
Pohutukawa and rata belong to the myrtle family (Myrtaceae) which
is made up of about 3000 different tropical and warm temperate trees,
shrubs and vines.
Eucalyptus, feijoas, cloves, guavas and bottlebrushes are a few family
members.There are
two native pohutukawa (mainland and Kermadec)
 M.
excelsa has a massive spreading crown which moulds to coastal winds
and slope and spreads its weight over unstable ground.
Roots form out of trunks and branches and are able to grow in air as they
search for crevices, pockets of soil and moisture.
Its rough and stringy bark forms a medium-thick, dry covering which protects
the tree from drought and provides an excellent surface for the roots
of epiphytes. Dormant
leaf and floral buds are protected by bud scales against damage from cold,
salt and abrasion.
Flowers are a spectacular crimson colour and the abundant nectar attracts
nectar feeding birds and geckos.
A fruit capsule opens to enable wind dispersal of seed.
Seeds are small for easy dispersal and entry into rock crevices, an ideal
strategy for a rock colonising, coastal plant.
 In
New Zealand, its homeland, populations were devastated so badly that 10
years ago there were grave concerns about the species extinction from
New Zealand. A
major culprit is the introduced pest, the Australian brushtail possum
(Trichosurus vulpecula), a small marsupial with a big appetite
for the leaves, buds and young shoots of pohutukawa.
Possums damage both adult trees and seedlings so that most surviving pohutukawa
trees in natural populations are more than 200 years old.
Other threats to the species are insects, disease, development, sensitivity
to fire and an inability to regenerate in pasture grasses or weeds when
stock are present.
It is ironic that recently, however, the red flowered tree has been listed
in the annex to new South African legislation containing stricter controls
to deal with invasive alien plants.
It turns out that the New Zealand native is a good coloniser, and is taking
over from native South African species, especially fynbos near Cape Town.
© Ohope Beach.info 2003
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