New Zealand’s Beech Forest Is Pretty Great

New Zealand’s beech forest covers a large part of the country. Here are some facts about the types of trees in the beech forest, and where to find it.

A walk in the forest is always good for the soul. In New Zealand a walk in the forest can be two very different experiences depending on what type of forest you are in. The beech forest of New Zealand has less understory, and is thus more open than the thick, tangled mess of vines found in the podocarp/broadleaf forest. Beech forest is common on many of New Zealand’s great walks.

beech forest
Some lovely beech forest on the south island. Photo via Flickr.

The Forests Of New Zealand

I just want to refresh your memory. New Zealand has two main types of forest throughout the country: 1) podocarp/broadleaf, and 2) beech.

Before the arrival of people in New Zealand around 80% of the country was covered in forest. However, since the arrival of those first settlers the forest has been slowly cut down and removed.

Currently, about 23% of the country is still covered in native forest (about 6.4 million hectares). About 4 million ha of that native forest has beech trees.

2 million ha of the native forests in New Zealand has only beech trees. That is about 7% of the country!

beech forest
Heaps of beech forest covering the landscape. Photo via Flickr.

New Zealand’s Beech Forests

This forest has little undergrowth because the thick evergreen canopy prevents much light from penetrating to the forest floor.

Beech forest can be found from the Northland all the way south to Fiordland. On the north island, it grows on the mountains. On the south island it grows everywhere, but dominates in the south, especially the area around Fiordland.

The beech forests of New Zealand are comprised of 5 main trees. The different species of beech tree prefer different climate and soil types. Thus, they tend to be found in different areas, but there is some overlap.

beech forest
Photo via Flickr.

Beech Forest Mast Years

Beech trees do not produce seeds every single year. In fact, the trees have certain mast years in which they produce copious amounts of seeds.

These mast years lead to spikes of introduced pests and are a serious threat to native wildlife. In the past mast years happened every 4 -5 years, but they seem to be happening more frequently in recent years.