Trees of Story.

The news that a historic karaka tree at Wanganui is to be preserved for its age and its associations, prompts a suggestion that there must be many other large and beautiful trees of various species which should be regarded as tapu because of their size and their stories. In my own mental survey of fine old trees and groves of trees which should be saved from destruction, there are many besides kauri, and some of these are on private land. It is probable that most owners of land who have uncommonly large or historically interesting trees, whether introduced or native, on their properties, are desirous of preserving them.

There are in particular, pohutukawa trees of great age and much beauty, around the coast and on the shores of some of the North Island lakes. Around Rotoiti there are many of these trees, whose legendary and poetic associations have made them sacred to the Maori. I have gathered lore of this kind from the old people, whose homes are on those Rotoiti bays. Fortunately, the generous Maoris of the Ngati-Pikiao and other sections of the Arawa tribe have made over to the Crown as tapu sanctuaries most of the headlands on which the ancient pas stood, places where almost every old tree has its tales of the past.

But, unfortunately, the pakeha bush-owner is not always so thoughtful as the Maori. One could wish to see Lord Bledisloe's recent appeal to New Zealanders taken to heart by those who are now engaged in turning into boards the greatest rimu and totara timber areas in various parts of the country. His Excellency urged that exceptionally large and beautiful trees should not be sacrificed for commercial interests. Timber-millers, please note and spare some of the trees that were growing centuries before you were born, and will live centuries after you—if you will only leave them alone, with a sheltering fringe of what you call “scrub”!

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