Maritime Pines

A day away from the office today meant that in between appointments I had a chance to walk through the Botanic Gardens for a bit of a breather.

These tall maritime pines (they must be at least 20m high) are magnificent specimens. Native to the mediterranean, they even grow very well in temperate climes like the South Island. The bark on the trees has deep fissures across it's surface, popular for many spiders that I noticed inhabited the crevices, awaiting bugs to fall their way.

The Botanic Gardens are not the only place in the city that these trees can be found - the tall pine trees that stand on the edge of Hagley Park on Harper Ave, opposite Little Hagley Park, are also maritime pines.

The Botanic Gardens really are a treasure. On a sunny early summer's day like today I can't think of a nicer place to relax in Christchurch.

No wonder they call it the Garden City...