Species identification of trees, tall trees, in New Zealand can be tricky. Grabbing an expert field guide such as A Mini Guide to the Identification of New Zealand Native Trees by Andrew Crowe (Penguin, 2007) can fit neatly into a pocket. Essential information on the tallest trees living in New Zealand can also be found in reference books of the Which Native? series by Andrew Crowe. Botanists will identify tall trees in New Zealand by the leaves, flowers and fruit plus estimating the height of the native trees.
Taraire New Zealand Native Tree
Beilschmiedia tarairi or Taraire tree in the North Island, New Zealand can be spotted by its height of 20 metres and its appeal to the New Zealand pigeon or kereru for its large fruits in the southern hemisphere autumn. Following some small flowers, pollinated trees will produced 3.5 cm long dark purple fruits which are striking in size and offset against 7 to 14 centimetres long green leathery no teeth leaves with white undersides.
Kauri New Zealand Native Tree
Some specimens of Agathis australis or Kauri, a native tree of New Zealand, are thought at least 2,000 years old. Growing to heights in excess of 30 metres, Kauri native tree is found in the North Island, New Zealand. A cone tree, the Kauri male cones are slender and long compared to the large rounder female cones which follow dainty flowers on the Kauri tree. Identifying Kauri native tree can be possible by examining leaves on younger trees which are narrow green alternating leaves of 2 to 4 centimetres.
Totara New Zealand Native Tree
Podocarpus totara or Totara native tree living on the North and South Islands of New Zealand, grows to a height of around 30 metres. With similar leaves in appearance to the Kauri tree, the Totara leaves are very spiky and stiff to touch. Only the female trees will produce green seeds in southern autumn.
Tawhai Raunui New Zealand Native Tree
Red Beech (Nothofagus fusca) and Hard Beech (Nothofagus truncata) are two plant species of native trees of New Zealand reaching heights of around 30 metres tall. Commonly known as Tawhai Raunui, hard beech and red beech trees have teethed green leaves of up to 4 centimetres long and can be identified in spring by tiny and red male flowers. A red beech is set apart from the hard beech by its tiny yellow spotted furry leaves compared to the smooth leaves of hard beech tree in New Zealand.
Tall Native Trees in New Zealand
Native trees, tall trees of over 20 metres, in New Zealand include also the species Knightia excelsa or New Zealand Honeysuckle / Rewarewa, Laurelia novae-zelandiae or Pukatea, Weinmannia racemosa or Kamahi, Metrosideros excelsa or Pohukukawa, Metrosideros robusta, Metrosideros unbellata and Vitex lucens or Puriri.
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