Swamp Kauri

New Zealand's ancient swamp kauri (Agathis Australis) has been carbon dated at 47,500 years old and is the oldest workable timber in the world.

The trees originate from the long-buried ancient kauri forests that stood thousands of years ago and now lie beneath swamps in the North Island of New Zealand at Latitude 36° South. The kauri has been preserved in peat swamps after an unexplained phenomenon felled the kauri forests some 40,000 years ago. A tsunami, cyclone, or even the advent of the last Ice Age are among the theories that have been suggested for their cryogenic suspension.

These giant trees grew to a height of 50 meters with a width of 5 meters. The extraction of the logs from the swamp is very demanding. Heavy machinery and skilled operators are used to unearth and recover the logs. The grain and features of this wood are outstanding in contrast and clarity with a rich golden glow.

Tane Mahuta - one of the largest trees in the world
(51m high).
Waipoua Forest,Northland, New Zealand