Tallest native in NZ BUT... It has been known for some time that the tallest tree in New Zealand is to be found in Orokonui Eco-sanctuary. A stand of Eucalyptus regnans, planted in 1870 in the grounds of what became the Orokonui Home for Inebriates in 1902, started self seeding after fires in 1910, resulting a dense forest of competing trees in the lower reaches of the valley of the Orokonui Creek. The tallest tree measured in 1982 was included in Burstall’s Great Trees of New Zealand, as number 99, the Frank Pepers Tree, named after the New Zealand Forest Service officer who had identified and measured the tree at 69.1 m at that time. That tree was tape-dropped in late 2006 at 77.4 m (See OR/0796). In 2011, a climbing expedition including noted canopy scientists Steve Sillet and Bob Van Pelt found the Frank Pepers Tree to be reduced to 74 m, a victim of a damaged top. However a nearby tree was tape-dropped at 80.2 m tall. A re-measurement by the same group in 2013 determined the height of the new tallest tree to be 81.26 m - at the time the second tallest known planted tree after a 81.5 m blue gum near Magoebaskloof, South Africa. Due to the tree’s height and location, the true top is only visible from the track about 100 m away, with the base well obscured. This makes laser measurement quite challenging. The tree was subsequently climbed and tape dropped in November 2018 with the height being measured at 82.25 metres.
This tree has something of an interesting history. In short (excuse the pun) it is not as tall as DOC say, more like 55m instead of the claimed 66m (recent lidar confirmation). The tallest known natives (Rimu in Pueora and a kahikatea in east Taranaki) top out at about 56m. It appears there are taller natives out there (Whirinaki) yet to be measured accurately.
Thank you for your comment!. There are various speculations on this topic, ether way when it comes in view it is a very impressive tree. From the lookout, I had my drone 60 meters up while flying around the top of it. I am looking forward to doing a lot more exploring around NZ. Here's an article I found on NZ Herald that might interest you. www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/nz-hikes-family-friendly-adventures-at-pirongia-forest-park/DOBAUWD43TFMI53PKZPRSRJ46U/
@@RJsWildWalks Thanks for the reply. Yes, most importantly, a very impressive tree! I belong to a FB group of tree nuts - 'Great trees of NZ'. There's a lot of random stuff, but contributors to look out for are Kevin and Phil Barker, Brad Cadwallader and Matt Smillie who is examining the Lidar data. Searching for big native trees probably seems pointless to most people, but it is a good excuse to get out there and find that there are, even now, yet to be discovered giants.
That was awesome Reece.. A great walk
Thank you. A great walk, but I wouldn't want to do during or after a lot of rain.
Thu uh 0:36 @@RJsWildWalks
Tallest native in NZ BUT...
It has been known for some time that the tallest tree in New Zealand is to be found in Orokonui Eco-sanctuary. A stand of Eucalyptus regnans, planted in 1870 in the grounds of what became the Orokonui Home for Inebriates in 1902, started self seeding after fires in 1910, resulting a dense forest of competing trees in the lower reaches of the valley of the Orokonui Creek. The tallest tree measured in 1982 was included in Burstall’s Great Trees of New Zealand, as number 99, the Frank Pepers Tree, named after the New Zealand Forest Service officer who had identified and measured the tree at 69.1 m at that time. That tree was tape-dropped in late 2006 at 77.4 m (See OR/0796).
In 2011, a climbing expedition including noted canopy scientists Steve Sillet and Bob Van Pelt found the Frank Pepers Tree to be reduced to 74 m, a victim of a damaged top. However a nearby tree was tape-dropped at 80.2 m tall. A re-measurement by the same group in 2013 determined the height of the new tallest tree to be 81.26 m - at the time the second tallest known planted tree after a 81.5 m blue gum near Magoebaskloof, South Africa.
Due to the tree’s height and location, the true top is only visible from the track about 100 m away, with the base well obscured. This makes laser measurement quite challenging. The tree was subsequently climbed and tape dropped in November 2018 with the height being measured at 82.25 metres.
Thank you for your comment. Yes I will definitely have to go there next time I am in the South Island.
As a Tasmanian, home of both those trees. Enjoy our giants
Great insight thanks John.
Great one.
If I back to New Zealand again, I wish to join you.
Yes. Definitely there are a lot of awesome hikes here in New Zealand. Let me know when you come back.
Bit of a tight squeeze through that cave. Cool adventure!
Thank you for commenting. Yes it does make for a cool adventure going through a cave on a hike.
Kaniwhaniwha.. Nice to see you on Pirongia….
An awesome forest I will have to go back to do some of the other hikes in and around Pirongia.
This tree has something of an interesting history. In short (excuse the pun) it is not as tall as DOC say, more like 55m instead of the claimed 66m (recent lidar confirmation).
The tallest known natives (Rimu in Pueora and a kahikatea in east Taranaki) top out at about 56m. It appears there are taller natives out there (Whirinaki) yet to be measured accurately.
Thank you for your comment!. There are various speculations on this topic, ether way when it comes in view it is a very impressive tree. From the lookout, I had my drone 60 meters up while flying around the top of it.
I am looking forward to doing a lot more exploring around NZ.
Here's an article I found on NZ Herald that might interest you. www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/nz-hikes-family-friendly-adventures-at-pirongia-forest-park/DOBAUWD43TFMI53PKZPRSRJ46U/
@@RJsWildWalks Thanks for the reply.
Yes, most importantly, a very impressive tree!
I belong to a FB group of tree nuts - 'Great trees of NZ'. There's a lot of random stuff, but contributors to look out for are Kevin and Phil Barker, Brad Cadwallader and Matt Smillie who is examining the Lidar data.
Searching for big native trees probably seems pointless to most people, but it is a good excuse to get out there and find that there are, even now, yet to be discovered giants.