Pohutukawa Trees

Those are some of the most gorgeously colored trees I've ever seen, wish we could grow them here. Gulf Coast maybe.

Thanks Zita for another very interesting story and link. Round where I live someone is marketing what is called NZ Xmas trees - the flowers look like pohutukawa but they are shrubs definitely not trees - or maybe someone is going to get a surprise when these lovely shrubs turn into trees!? Also I THINK I saw mature pohutukawa trees in Mountain View California when I was visiting there a year or so ago. The whole property (an appartment complex) was landscaped with a number of what were definitely Australian flowering shrubs/trees plus these that looked like pohutukawa - I can't be sure since its been a few years since I've seen the real thing!
Do you know if the pohutukawa tree growing from the rock at Cape Reinga is still there? It was a very important part of Maori belief about the 'after-life'.
btw 'all northerners'!! - basements are pretty unusual over here - we just have sheds that sprawl out around our back yards! In fact we have some very funny songs written about men needing their sheds and what's in them to retreat from family and wives!!!

Oh Mikk - yes, the sheds are so important to the male species!!
Isn't that what we women call a 'dog box'???

haha!
So glad you liked the pohutukawa. I just love them, and they are really focusing on planting them on the coastlines here.

Another similar tree is the Rata, comes out now too. When you go over to the coast, the bush is 'red' at xmas time - very spectular sight.

As far as I know the tree is still there Mikk

Not like the demise of One tree hill!

Now that is another story!

Would some one please phonetically spell the name of this spectacular tree so I can learn to pronounce it's name.

Zita - please catch me up with what happened to One Tree Hill??
Yes indeed - 'in the dog box' - and the shed/dog box is sure no worry with all the lovely ole' mod-cons that are out there - the comfy old chair that you can sit in with dirty clothes on!!! the old frig for keeping bottles and tinnies cold! and of course the radio that can't talk back!!!! hahaha
Edward - re pronunciation - 'po' with the 'o' as in 'go' - 'hu' and 'tu' with the 'u' as in 'too' - 'ka' and 'wa' with the 'a' as in 'far' (but don't add the 'r' sound!) - I think those vowels will sound OK! And all syllables receive equal stress - the language flows along - very melodious.

Here is a link to a beautiful mature tree.

http://opotiki2.co.nz/data/pohutuka.htm

Edward, that is one very special tree!
Thanks for sharing it here.
It is great that there is a revival in the planting of these magnificant trees all along the coastline of New Zealand, even here in the South Island.

Our route to church school every day took us along tree lined streets.The season for flowering made wonderful ammunition with the buds - tight little balls, just right for throwing!
One well aimed missile scored - right in my brothers eye! By the time we caught the train and arrived home, it had completely closed, and he had to be taken to emergency.

Hi Mikk,
One tree hill is no more! though it is still called that, the icon is gone.

It all started about 5 years ago, when a Maori activist decided to make a ststement - using his chain saw.
There was damage to the tree, but it could be saved.
Until the 2nd attack some months later.
Finally it had to be removed.
One tree hill just didn't look the same!

The Council decided it would not be replaced, and that eventually lots of trees would be planted.

Not acceptable to one man, who just before xmas, replaced the tree, and fenced it properly.

Unfortunately the Council came the next morning and removed it. It didn't have Council approval!

Oh, the silly games we humans play!

But Mikk, I love the description of your tin shed!
Sounds like a wonderful place of safety - *giggle*

I can't type as much with this broken wrist

POHUTUKAWA CHRISTMAS

In this southern place
pohutukawa stands all year
green and murmering
wind whipped
clinging to the rocky shorlines.
But when pohutukawa breaks
glorious red
against a clear blue sky
to the roar of rolling surf
we know Christmas has come!
Time to light the barbeque
slap on sunscreen
and celebrate.

Pohutukawa Christ,
You stand in our midst all year
singing Your ever-green song of love.
But at christmas you break out
blood-red, flesh-soft
to the same sound of a baby breathing.

Gift beyond description
we kneel and welcome You.

Written by Barbara Sampson

I achieved a wish this last week! I bought two little pohutukawa trees! Or at least I thought they were - and the pic on the little label attached at the nursery LOOKS like pohutukawa flowers. However, I went on-line to check the botanical name and now find that it is NOT the proper NZ tree. This one is 'metrosideros thomasii' and the REAL one should be 'metrosideros excelsa'. I have had a good hunt around and can't find what species I have actually bought. Can anyone give me more info, please? btw this might explain why these are being planted so thickly over here - full growth is listed at only 5 metres instead of the 25 metres or so the NZ trees grow.