Kauri facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Agathis |
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| Agathis australis (New Zealand Kauri) | |
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Agathis
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The Agathis trees are a group of amazing evergreen trees. They are also known as kauri trees. These trees are conifers, which means they grow their seeds inside special cones. You can find them mostly in the Southern Hemisphere. This includes places like Southeast Asia, parts of the western Pacific Ocean, and Australasia.
There are about 21 different types, or species, of Agathis trees. These trees can grow very tall and wide. Some mature Agathis trees can reach up to 130 feet (about 40 meters) in height. Their trunks can be as wide as 10 feet (about 3 meters) across!
Agathis trees belong to an old plant family called Araucariaceae. This family of conifers was once found all over the world. That was a long time ago, during the Jurassic period. Today, most trees from this ancient family live in the southern parts of the world.
Contents
Discover the Kauri Tree
Kauri trees are known for their impressive size. They have a unique shape as they grow.
How Kauri Trees Look
Young kauri trees often have a conical shape. This means they look like a tall, narrow cone. As they get older, their shape changes. Mature kauri trees develop very large trunks. These trunks are often straight and tall. They have very few branches low down. The branches mostly grow near the top, forming a rounded or uneven crown.
Uses of Kauri Wood and Resin
Kauri trees are very useful. Their wood and the sticky stuff they produce, called resin, have many purposes.
What Kauri Wood is Used For
The wood from Agathis trees is very strong and beautiful. It is often called commercial grade mahogany in the logging industry. People use this timber for many things. It is great for making cabinets and musical instruments. It is also used for building boats. In the past, it was even used to make artificial limbs.
Kauri Resin and Its Uses
Besides wood, Agathis trees also produce a lot of resin. Resin is a sticky substance that comes out of the tree. It can be used for many different things. For example, it has been used in varnishes and other products.
Images for kids
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Bark of Agathis robusta at Melbourne Royal Botanic Gardens (leaves belong to another plant)
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Kauri logs and loggers near Piha
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Tāne Mahuta, an Agathis australis in Waipoua Forest, the largest tree in New Zealand by volume
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Te Matua Ngahere, an A. australis in Waipoua Forest, the oldest (and 2nd largest) tree in New Zealand
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Trunk of the Yakas kauri (7th largest)
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Agathis lanceolata
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Agathis ovata
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Agathis macrophylla
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Agathis robusta
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Agathis borneensis
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Agathis australis male pollen cone
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Agathis australis seed
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Agathis australis cone
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Agathis australis leaves and cones
See also
In Spanish: Agathis (planta) para niños
