Nothofagus solandri

Also known as Tāwhai Pauriki, Black Beech Tree

Black beech forms dominant canopy forests across New Zealand drier eastern hill country and montane valleys, recognized by its small, smooth-edged dark leaves and black-soot bark. The distinctive dark coating on the trunk stems from a soot mold that feeds on honeydew excreted by native scale insects in the bark. During periodic mast years, these trees produce massive seed crops that drive local ecosystem dynamics and feed native birds.