Hard Beech
Nothofagus truncata (Colenso) Cockayne
Nothofagus truncata, known as hard beech, is a tree species native to New Zealand. It is found in lowland and lower montane forests from 35°S to 42°30'S, including the North Island and parts of the South Island. The species is characterized by its tough timber, which contains a high silica content, making it difficult to cut. It can grow up to 30 meters tall and is known to form nearly pure stands in certain areas, such as Taranaki, where it is partially deciduous, shedding many leaves at the end of winter. The species was reclassified as Fuscospora truncata in New Zealand after 2013.
Description
Nothofagus truncata is a member of the Nothofagaceae family and is endemic to New Zealand. It is distributed across the North Island and parts of the South Island, growing in a range from 35°S to 42°30'S. The tree is known for its hard, silica-rich timber, which is difficult to work with. It can reach heights of up to 30 meters and is often found in lowland and lower montane forests. In Taranaki, it forms nearly pure stands on sandstone terrain and exhibits partial deciduous behavior, losing many of its leaves after winter. The species was previously known as Fuscospora truncata in New Zealand following a taxonomic change in 2013.
Other common names
Hard Beech
Distribution
Global · New Zealand North · New Zealand South
Synonyms
Nothofagus fusca var. colensoiFagus truncataFuscospora truncata