Totara (Podocarpus totara)
There are a few good Totara in the Valley but none reaching the size of those in the photos above. The top photo is of the Pouakani Totara near Lake Taupo which is estimated to be between 1500 and 1800 years old - in other words one of the first seedlings to sprout after the enormous volcanic eruption that created Lake Taupo (the largest lake in the Southern Hemisphere). The lower photo shows Podocarpus hallii which grows at higher altitudes. Normally Totara grow to a height of 30 meters with a diameter of 2 meters. Foliage is of small, sharp, stiff leaves mid green in colour. Bark is thick, rough, deep reddish and comes away in long strips.