Story: Soils and regional land use

Wharekohe soils

Wharekohe soils

The Wharekohe podzol soils of Northland’s gumlands were formed under kauri forest from clays and sandstones over a long period of time. They have a deep layer of organic matter, including tree roots, overlaying a white, quartz-dominated, bleached horizon that has been leached of almost all clays and nutrients. Below this are darker layers of clay. Drainage is necessary to establish pasture.

Using this item

New Zealand Society of Soil Science
Reference: Les Molloy, Soils in the New Zealand landscape: the living mantle. Wellington: Mallinson Rendel, 1988, plate 5.17
Photograph by Quentin Christie

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How to cite this page:

Allan Gillingham, 'Soils and regional land use - Northland', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/17086/wharekohe-soils (accessed 2 May 2024)

Story by Allan Gillingham, published 24 Nov 2008