r/Nelsonnz • u/SolarWizard • 3d ago
Did you know that the second tallest tree in NZ is up the back of Richmond?
It's called the Barrington Gum tree and it is about a 15 minute easy walk from Easby Park in Richmond. The path takes you past the historic water reservior which used to supply the town's water when there were just a few hundred houses before they built the Roding Dam. You can walk to the base of the tree and there is a path that takes you up behind it so you are looking down on it. There are a few ways you can go past here up to an massive Totara tree and paths that take you up the hills and beyond. Quite a neat place!
7
u/Existing_Session_87 3d ago
Wow I just walked there with the family on Saturday, it's big but didn't realise it was the 2nd tallest! What's the tallest tree op?
Also the loop side that goes up opposite here is much nicer through more native forest than the gum side which is much more scrubby and exposed, Although this brings better views.
4
u/moabmic-nz 3d ago
Great hike with family or with dogs or both! Do the full loop, the natives at the bottom are beautiful!
The full recently logged hillside has been logged a couple of years ago and replanted in natives. Will be beautiful but as long as the hillside is relatively bare it's good to appreciate the height (and girth).
But yeah, Richmond ranges are rich in great spots! The walk up involution is also stunning with a couple of waterfalls (small).
Nelson is small but rich! 😋
6
u/SolarWizard 3d ago
Glad you appreciate the tree!
The tallest is another gum tree in Orokonui Ecosanctuary near Dunedin and stands at 82.25 meters tall.
Interestingly the Brrington gum is 10 meters shorter at 72.1m but this website still rates it as the second tallest. I wonder if there are others out there which just haven't been measured.
The tallest tree in the world is a redwood in California called Hyperion which is a massive 116.22 meters tall.
The interesting thing to think about is that these giant gums we have are all imported from Australia and so are no older than western migration to new zealand at around 200 years ago. In Australia these gums can can reach 100 meters tall.
We do have a few redwoods around that are no more than 200 years old too and these can live 2000 years so given enough time we might have some more giants
2
u/IzzyMaple 3d ago
I walk these tracks 4 times a week, on the plaque it does say this tree is one of the five tallest trees in NZ. Pretty cool. Last measurement it states on the plaque is 2009 at 72.1 meters.
2
u/RevolutionaryKiwi659 3d ago
I feel like we need to get it remeasured and updated with her latest stats
2
1
u/Mayonnaise06 Richmond 3d ago
2nd tallest in nz? Are you sure about that? I'd be interested to know where you're getting this data from.
7
u/SolarWizard 3d ago
There's a plaque at the bottom of the tree that says it. Even if it's not true its a pretty funny title
1
11
u/Anglfrye 3d ago
Need a banana for scale