Distinguished by its deep red, fragrant flowers, the pit pat tree is a South Island resident. It can be found from Nelson down to the head of Lake Hawea.

Some of the best places for this rare plant are the Huxley and Temple forests in the Ohau Conservation Area. It is here that possum control work is underway to help ensure the tree’s long-term survival.

Possum control
Possums invaded the Huxley and Temple forests in the 1970s. Plant monitoring by the Department of Conservation has shown possums have done significant damage to the forests.

The pit pat tree has been particularly hard hit. With concern growing about the damage to this special New Zealand native, the Department is taking action.

New funding has enabled the Department to employ a seasonal staff member to manage a possum control programme for the next three years.

Trapping and poisoning will be used to reduce possum numbers to a level low enough to protect the Huxley and Temple forests.

Recovery plan in place
The Department has put in place a recovery programme to halt the decline of the pit pat tree.

The Department’s Pittosporum Patulum Recovery Plan sets in place steps to ensure the recovery of this unique New Zealand species.

Long-term, the recovery plan’s goal is to ensure the fragrant red flowers of the pit pat tree continue to bloom for generations for come.