Tōtara - Podocarpus tōtara

The Tōtara tree is a species of podocap tree endemic to New Zealand. The Tōtara grows throughout the North Island and Northeastern South Island in lowland, montane and lower subalpine forest at elevations of up to 600 meters.

The Tōtara tree is a medium to large tree which grows slowly to around 20 to 25 meters. It is noted for its longevity and the great girth of its trunk the bark peels off in papery flakes, with a purplish to golden brown hue.

The largest known living Tōtara tree is near Pureora which is in the central North Island New Zealand and is over 35meters tall with a trunk nearly 4 meters in diameter at chest height.

The wood of the Tōtara is hard and straight grained it is very resistant to rot due to it durability. Tōtara wood was often used for fence posts, floor pilings and railway sleepers. The Tōtara wood is also prized for its caving properties and was the primary wood used in Maori carvings.

Tōtara trees have been planted in the United Kingdom as far North as Inverewe Scotland.

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