Kahikatea

Kahikatea is a coniferous tree native to New Zealand and the tallest native tree species in the country, capable of reaching over 60 meters in height on fertile lowland and swamp forest sites. It belongs to the podocarp family and produces small, red, fleshy seed structures that attract native birds, which disperse the seeds after eating them. Historically Kahikatea formed extensive stands on the fertile floodplains of both main islands of New Zealand, but most of this lowland forest was cleared for agriculture after European settlement, and remaining old growth stands are now largely restricted to protected swamp forest reserves. The pale, straight grained timber was once widely used for butter boxes and general construction because it had no odor or resin that would taint food.