THE RATA TREE (Metrosideros robusta).
This magnificent tree is found in the denser forests of New Zealand, where it reaches its greatest perfection on a rich soil, and with a moderate degree of moisture. In such situations it very commonly attains the height of 80 to 100 feet, with a circumference of from 9 to 12 feet.
It often rises with a clear stem to 30 and even 40 feet without a branch, and then puts out very ponderous and robust arms, forming a heavy top. The leaves are marginate, and of a light-green colour, 1½ inch in length and ½ inch in width. In December and January this tree puts forth very beautiful crimson polyandrous flowers, which render it conspicuous at a considerable distance. [1]
The Rata tree yields timber 12 to 30 inches square, and 20 to 50 feet in length. The bark is ragged in appearance and dark-brown in colour; the wood red,, hard, heavy, close-grained, strong, and not difficult to work. It is fit for employment in ship-building, and for any work in civil architecture requiring timber of straight growth and large dimensions; the natives assert that it is very durable. The specific gravity of the Rata, freshly cut, is about 1228, but when seasoned only about 786.
THE POHUTUKAWA TREE (Metrosideros tomentosa)
is found only on the rocky shores and outlets of rivers
- ↑ There are some very fine creepers growing up the stem and over the tops of the tallest trees in the New Zealand forests, that are so exceedingly like the Rata in wood, bark, leaf, and flower, that I could never distinguish any difference between them. The natives say, with reference to the Rata tree, that in some districts it sends down tendrils from its branches, which take root in the ground, and assume in time the form and solidity of stems.
