The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 66
Order—Cupuliferæ. — Genus—Fagus, Linn
Order— Cupuliferæ.
Genus— Fagus, Linn.
Fagus menziesii, Hook.
Tawhai, Red-birch (from the colour of the bark).—A handsome tree, 80ft. to 100ft. high; trunk 2ft. to 3ft. in diameter. The timber is chiefly used in the lake district in the South Island. Durable and adapted for masts and oars, and for cabinet and cooper's work. Grows in the North Island on the mountain-tops, but abundant in the South Island at all altitudes to 3,000ft.
Fagus fusca, Hook.
Tawhai, Tawhairaunui, Black-birch of Auckland and Otago (from colour of bark), Red-birch of Wellington and Nelson (from colour of timber).—This is a noble tree, 60ft. to 90ft. high; the trunk 5ft, to 8ft. in diameter. The timber is excessively tough and hard to cut. It is highly valued in Nelson and Wellington as being both strong and durable for all purposes. It is found from Kaitaia in the North Island to Otago in the South Island, but is often locally absent from extensive districts, and grows at all heights up to 3,000ft. altitude.
Fagus solandri, Hook.
White-birch of Nelson and Otago (from colour of bark), Black-heart Birch of Wellington.—A lofty, beautiful evergreen tree, 100ft. high; trunk 4ft. to 5ft. in diameter. The heart timber is darker than that of Fagus fusca, and is very durable. The wood is well adapted for fencing and bridge piles, and the bark is useful as a tanning material. This tree occurs only in the southern part of the North Island, but is abundant in the South Island, at 3,000ft. to 5,000ft. altitude.