Siamese Kauri
History
The tree began as two separate seedlings. Over the centuries they grew in diameter, and the space between them reduced until eventually the two trees fused at the base. It is not known why the Siamese Kauri, and other trees of the same species in Kauri Grove were never felled, unlike almost all the kauri of the Coromandel Peninsula. One suggestion is that the land was controlled by mining companies that hoped to find gold in the area, and so access to the land was restricted.
During World War II, Kauri Grove was due to be logged by the Government to support the war effort. This met with strong opposition from the residents, who formed one of New Zealand's first conservation groups to save the trees. After much opposition to the plans, the message came from the capital that "logging will cease forthwith".
References
- ^ "Waiau Falls and Kauri Grove Lookout". Department of Conservation, Te Papa Atawhai. Retrieved 8 October 2010.
- ^ "Coromandel Recreation (brochure)" (PDF). Department of Conservation, Te Papa Atawhai. 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 September 2010. Retrieved 8 October 2010.