Kauri rickers

While staying at Tawharanui Regional Park, we had a bit of a wander around. The hour-long walk took us along the beach, uphill through farmland and then through this lovely big area of native bush. These are kauri rickers. They start off as conical shaped trees, then as they mature, they lose their lower branches. The trunk and bark are so appealing. It is the kauri trees that are in danger of contracting 'kauri dieback disease'. There are areas where huge old trees have contracted this disease and died. When we entered the bush, we had to brush the dirt off our shoes and then spray them with disinfectant. As much as humans are taking care, this disease is spreading. Wild pigs don't clean their trotters and may be a huge part of the problem.

[Dione Giorgio]

Beautiful shot. The trunks have lovely layers of textures.

[Babs]

I remember these gorgeous trees when I was in New Zealand. So sad to read that disease could kill them.

[Lou Ann]

These are beautiful! In America we have whole pine tree forests dying due to beetles boring into their bark. So hard to see.

[Peter]

Lovely capture full of tones and textures Dianne well spotted:)

[Issi Bannerman]

So lovely viewed on black and so interesting to read about these trees.

[Wylie]

Beautiful bark. Fingers crossed the disease can be controlled

[tony gig]

Lovely detailed shot.

[Margo Sayer]

These are fascinating trees. Their colours remind me of the combinations used for army camouflage gear.

[Pat Knowles]

They are beautiful Dianne, these tree trunks are so lovely. Interesting to read all about the disease, such amazing tall trees you can't imagine them getting sick. Glad you can do your best to keep them safe.

[Stephen Jones]

Wonderful colours and textures!

[sarah]

So interesting learned something new again here - hope they can contain the disease

[Jane Pittenger]

How heartbreaking. Such wonderful bark

[Karly]

Lovely dark and dank forest! I hope the trees will be ok.

[CAT Carter19]

Nicely done!

[haskar]

Great capture. Lovely tone and details.

[Marnie]

Love this shot, what a shame to hear the trees are under threat. Makes me weep.

[Peter Dulis]

lovely ...

[Henri Russell]

They are really beautuful. I do hope they find a way to contain the disease.

[Margaret Brown]

Lovely textures and lines

[arthur clark]

If you go down to the woods today you'll get a big surprise,lovely photo,shame about the dieback,we have the same problem here with caterpillars imported from abroard.