Of rather greater interest than what’s on offer on the Russell seafront are these trees (Metrosideros excelsa).  Known as a chiefly tree, they were used for hammers and beaters, and as the knees in ships. They grow very slowly, have hard, dense strong  wood, and beautiful red orange flowers.  And, the Maoris say, if they bloom early it’s going to be a good summer.  And they have aerial roots, are able to survive drought, grow in precarious situations like cliffs.  It has also been introduced into SE Australia, South Africa, Spain, and California where it is in some places considered a weed because of the damage it does to drainpipes.

However it succumbs to possums, which eat the leaves.