The New Zealand Plant Conservation Network

Beech forests

Beech forests are the least diverse forest types in New Zealand and generally grow in the colder mountain regions along the Southern Alps and the ranges of the North Island, although black and hard beech also occur in lowland areas.  Red beech is the tallest beech species and dominates on more fertile sites.  Silver beech and mountain beech are more competitive at higher altitudes, with the latter more so in drier regions.  For more information about New Zealand's beech species see the Beech tree area of this website. Beech forest (Left: Rockburn Valley, Right: Beansburn Valley). Photos by John Sawyer.

To read about New Zealand's other indigenous forest types follow these links:

• Kauri-podocarp-broadleaved
• Podocarp broadleaved

For more information about beech forests see:

• Beech forests (DOC website)
• Beech forest factsheet (DOC)
• Southern Beeches (Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand)
• Beech forests by John Dawson (from Forest Vines to Snow Tussocks)
• Beech forest regeneration by John Dawson (from Forest Vines to Snow Tussocks)
• Ecology and Management of South Island Beech Forests - New Zealand Ecological Society Symposium (1974) Proceedings of the NZ Ecological Society Vol. 21

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This page last updated on 26 Sep 2012