Pohutukawa

The pohutukawa tree is New Zealand's Christmas tree. Pohutukawa trees are found along New Zealand's beaches. Pohutukawa was chosen to be New Zealand's Christmas tree because its red flowers blossom in Mid-November and die around Christmas or New year. Legends say that if the Pohutukawa trees flower before November it will be a long hot summer.The pohutukawa was used for more than just decoration by the early pioneers.The timber was strong and was used for ship building and the timber was exported to many different countries.