A small community in North Canterbury have discovered a giant Redwood tree with a unique growth journey that could see it entered into the Tree of the Year competition.
The 127-year-old behemoth has spent much of its life hidden in a forest at Ashley Gorge near Oxford.
It appears to have been struck by snow or strong wind early in its existence, prompting the trunk – which is more than 2 metres in diameter at the base – to split into two twin “leaders”.
The two logs have since grown to more than 40 metres high, creating a dramatic visual effect.
“It’s survived through all the climatic conditions up here, and some of them are not that easy to live with,” Ashley Gorge Reserve Advisory Group chairman Robert Judson said.
“They’re still here, so that’s the marvellous part about it.”
Other trees from the same family have grown nearby, but none of the others have ended up with twin trunks.
The locals were so taken with the collection of Redwoods that they built a path so the public could reach them. The walkway is accessible so the whole family can join in.
Much of the work was organised by Jean-Pierre Derveaux, who runs the nearby Ashley Gorge Holiday Park.
“I knew they were there, and a lot of people from the area [were] saying ‘go have a look at these trees’,” Derveaux said.
The trees were hidden by years of overgrown bush, meaning they “had to do a lot of work” to make it accessible.
The walkway was praised by Waimakariri District Council’s senior ranger of biodiversity Mike Kwant.
“They give shade, habitat for wildlife – there’s numerous different things that are good about trees,” he said.
“I just love trees, so it’s hard to put into words your feelings sometimes.”
The Advisory Group now have their sights on a lofty goal – nominating the “double leader” for the Tree of the Year competition, which is due to begin in early 2025.
Kwant is encouraging everyone across New Zealand to get out and enjoy nature near them this summer.
“I guess it helps get things in a perspective a wee bit, doesn’t it? Just, you know, who are we on the planet, and how we relate to the environment that we live in,” he said.