Story: Kauri forest

Bark and gum (2nd of 3)

Bark and gum

Greyish-brown kauri bark has a hammer-mark texture. A mature tree continuously sheds its outer bark in large scales to prevent climbing or perching plants from gaining a permanent hold. Kauri gum is oozing from the horizontal cracks in this bark – it is the tree’s way of sealing damaged surfaces.

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Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand
Photograph by Jock Phillips

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How to cite this page:

Joanna Orwin, 'Kauri forest - How and where kauri grows', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/10019/bark-and-gum (accessed 19 April 2024)

Story by Joanna Orwin, published 24 Sep 2007