Agathis australis aka Kauri Pine

Agathis australis, commonly known as kauri, is a coniferous tree found in the northern regions of New Zealand's North Island. It is the largest species of tree in New Zealand, standing up to 50 meters tall. The tree has smooth bark and small narrow leaves. Kauri forests, where this tree is abundant, have a higher species richness in the warmer northern climate. Kauri act as a foundation species, modifying the soil under their canopy to create unique plant communities. Kauri forests are characterized by dense canopies of kauri, along with other tree species like taraire, northern rata, rimu, towai, and makamaka. The tree has a stout trunk with a columnar growth form during its early development stage, and as it matures, the basal branches are shed, leaving a bare trunk. The leaves are broad, flat, and leathery. Kauri trees produce male and female cones, with the female cones bearing ovules. While not strictly threatened, some stands of kauri on private land are vulnerable to illegal logging, and the tree is occasionally harvested for cultural purposes. Kauri dieback, a disease caused by Phytophthora taxon Agathis, has become a serious issue, leading to the death of kauri trees.