Te Matua Ngahere
Te Matua Ngahere | ||
---|---|---|
Species Kauri (Agathis australis) | | |
Coordinates | 35°36′27″S 173°31′43″E / 35.60750°S 173.52861°E | |
Height | 29.9 m (98 ft) | |
Girth | 16.41 m (53.8 ft) | |
Volume of trunk | 208.1 m3 (7,350 cu ft) |
Te Matua Ngahere is a giant
As there is no means of reliably measuring the tree's age, it has been variously estimated to be between 1,200 and 2,000 years old;[5] or between 2,000 and 3,000 years old;[4] or even 4,000 years old.[6] One resource, published by National Geographic Books, claims that Te Matua Ngahere may be the oldest tree in New Zealand,[7] while another suggests that it is the oldest rainforest tree on Earth.[6]
Greatly revered by the
History
The ancient tree is considered to be a natural heritage of New Zealand. It is generally considered to be over 1500 years old,[12] and was first discovered in February 1937.[13] Forest conservationists estimate that such trees live for about 4000 years, but the life span of Te Matua Ngahere should shorten due to the damage from the 2007 storm winds.[9][10] This storm also resulted in the fallen rata tree and other plants which are expected to provide excellent clues to the scientific ecological study of the fallen wood and plants.[10]
Geography
The Te Matua Ngahere is situated in the Waipoua forest reserve, next to contiguous forest tracts of Mataraua and Waima, an area of international significance.[14] These forests are within the largest residual region of the native forests in Northland of New Zealand.[9][10] The nearest populated place is Wekaweka at a distance of 25.2 kilometres (15.7 mi).[15]
The tree is well situated in an open space clearing. It is approached from State Highway 12 through the Waipoua Forest up to the car park, close to the site of the tree. From this point, a winding walk of about 20 minutes along a well-maintained track, surfaced with boardwalks, has marked signs leading directly to the Te Matua Ngahere. The boardwalks protect tree roots from being subjected to human feet.[11] As the roots of the kauri tree are sensitive to frequent trampling by foot, it is advisable to avoid walking over the roots to ensure the long life of the trees.
The walk through the tract gives an educative exposure to the rich variety of tree species of genuine kauri, mixed
- Waipoua forest reserve
The largest kauris and the largest area of intact kauri forest are found in the Waipoua forest.[16] Waipoua forest was declared a sanctuary in 1952 to stop logging operations. It is stated to be the largest remnant of the extensive kauri forests of northern New Zealand. It is here that Te Matua Ngahere is located. An 18 kilometres (11 mi) road runs through the forest passing medium-sized mature kauri 40 metres (130 ft) high 5 metres (16 ft) girth trees. A toatoa point here provides excellent views of the forest.[clarification needed] The Park Visitor Information Centre disseminates information on the “Kauri trees, gum industry and native birds and other wild life.” The car park from where the Te Matua Ngahere could be approached through a track is about 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) from the Visitor Information Centre.[5]
Measurements
The reticulated trunk, which is about 16.41/pi or 5.2 metres (17 ft) in diameter, hardly tapers an inch in the area between a man's chest height and the next 10 metres, although some books may confuse these figures (e.g. 50 feet.[11]). With an estimated volume of 208.1 m3 (7,350 cu ft), it is stated to have the second biggest trunk by volume; however, the biggest tree by volume is the Tāne Mahuta, which is also in the Waipoua Forest with a volume of 244 m3 (8,600 cu ft). Its measurements are listed in the table below.[9]
Trunk girth | 16.41 m (53.8 ft) |
Trunk height | 10.21 m (33.5 ft) |
Total height | 29.9 m (98 ft) |
Trunk volume | 208.1 m3 (7,350 cu ft) |
Important note: all the measurements above were taken in 1971.[17] The most recent measurements may be found on the New Zealand Tree Register.[18]
Tourism
The tree attracts about 50,000 visitors every year.[9] To help prevent the spread of the kauri dieback disease, Phytophthora agathidicida, tourists must clean their footwear at a wash station before and after visiting the bush, and keep to the tracks.[19]
See also
References
- ISBN 978-0-589-01532-9. Retrieved 4 January 2011.
- ISBN 978-1-58843-597-2. Retrieved 4 January 2011.
- ISBN 978-1-74059-646-6. Retrieved 4 January 2011.
- ^ a b c Eriksen, Alanah May (July 13, 2007). "Storm takes heart of forest king". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 4 January 2011.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-74104-535-2. Retrieved 4 January 2011.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-85703-965-8. Retrieved 4 January 2011.
- ISBN 978-1-4263-0301-2. Retrieved 4 January 2011.
- ISBN 978-0-940262-99-7. Retrieved 4 January 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Storm takes heart of forest king". The New Zealand Herald. July 13, 2007. Retrieved 3 January 2011.
- ^ a b c d e "Te Matua Ngahere Walk". Department of Conservation. Retrieved 3 January 2011.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-393-32529-4. Retrieved 4 January 2011.
- ISBN 978-1-906098-04-9. Retrieved 4 January 2011.
- ^ NZPA (13 March 1937). "Giant Kauri Tree -Choice of a name". Auckland Star. Retrieved 19 November 2013.
- ^ "Waipoua/Mataraua/Waima Forest Tract" (PDF). Natural areas of Tutamoe Ecological District. PNAP reconnaissance survey report. December 1994. p. 5. Retrieved 4 January 2011.
- ^ "Te Matua Ngahere, North Auckland, New Zealand". travelingluck.com. Retrieved 4 January 2011.
- ISBN 978-81-7625-671-1. Retrieved 4 January 2011.
- ^ New Zealand Forest Service, Forest Research Institute, Mensuration Report No. 16 1971 (unpublished).
- ^ "The New Zealand Tree Register: 'Te Matua Ngahere'". register.notabletrees.org.nz. Retrieved 2024-02-10.
- ^ "Te Matua Ngahere Walk". doc.govt.nz. Department of Conservation. Retrieved 4 January 2011.