New Zealand Native Trees Native Tree Seeds New Zealand Plant Gift

Celebrating our Uniqueness

Trees are the anchor of life on earth. They give food, shelter and beauty. They symbolize life. They are the spirit of Aoteroa New Zealand.

New Zealand's long geographical isolation and absence of browsing animals has meant that New Zealand has developed a unique variety of native flora. We have approximately 260 species of native trees, adapted to our many micro-climates. Our native forest ranges from subtropical Kauri forests in the northern North Island, to West Coast temperate rainforests, alpine forests of the Southern Alps and Fiordland and coastal forests of the Abel Tasman National Park and the Catlins.

Our native plants are either indigenous (grow naturally in this country but not restricted to it, and are not considered introduced), or endemic (plants only found in one country or region). Over 80% of our native plants are endemic which is extremely high. Nearly all of our native trees are evergreen, with only about 12 species which are deciduous or partially deciduous and this can vary depending on where they are grown in New Zealand. Another distinctive feature of our native trees is that a number of species have a distinct juvenile phase, which can look very different to their adult phase.

Deforestation

It is believed that over 80% of New Zealand was originally covered with forest but this has declined with the advent of human settlement. The early Polynesian settlers attempted to use traditional slash and burn techniques used in tropical countries but New Zealand’s more temperate and seasonal climate meant that forest didn’t re-grow resulting in deforestation. By the beginning of the 19^th century 64% cover remained and with the arrival of European settlers during the 19^th and 20^th centuries, deforestation accelerated. Today there is less than 23% forest cover.

Why we need trees

Trees have a major role in our environment as they;

Provide shade and shelter
Stabilise land
Provide habitat for birds and insects
Trap and store energy from the sun
Purify the atmosphere
Regulate the climate

Plus they have enormous amenity and educational value, provide aesthetic beauty to our cities, towns and rural area and who hasn’t experienced the enormous adventure and fun of climbing a tree!

Acknowledgments

Lawrie Metcalf. “New Zealand Trees and Shrubs” Reed Publishing NZ 2000
Don C Bell. “Trees for New ZealandTown and Country” David Bateman Ltd 2001
Andrew Crow “Which Native tree can I grow here.” Penguin Book 1997
Albany Studios
Dave Flynn

Give a gift that makes a difference - view our great range of tree and seed gifts online now.