The living landscape of Le Roys bush Le Roys Bush occupies a large valley, criss-crossed by
There are a number of interconnected plant communities within this
streams. The main stream runs through the centre of
bush reserve, including a fine example of a regenerating native forest.
the valley, and a 10-metre waterfall near the headwaters taraire tree
Mixed broad-leaved forest
forms an impressive feature of this bush reserve.
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Maturing broad-leaved trees fill the forest canopy and a rich understorey of tree ferns and shrubs provide shade for the stream. On the open forest floor there are thriving colonies of smaller shrubs, sedges,
Downstream, the valley opens out to a wetland that
lilies, grasses and ground ferns. This flourishing ecosystem supports
empties into Little Shoal Bay.
a diverse range of native animals.
On the middle to lower slopes of the bush reserve, the forest is a layered mix of broad-leaved trees, shrubs and tree ferns. Grasslike climbers grow up trunks seeking the sunlight. The shady forest floor is dotted with ferns, mosses, grasses and the hopeful seedlings of trees. A significant canopy tree is the taraire; the kereru is the only bird that can eat the taraire's fruit and spread its seed.
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Kauri-tanekaha forest
This mix of plants including tawa, kahikatea and pate/five finger is typical of forests in the northern North Island where larger trees such as kauri and totara have been removed by logging.
On the top of the hills and upper slopes of the ridges kauri, totara and tanekaha are once again emerging through the canopy of the broad-leaved forest. In the past, these tall, straight trees were logged because their timber was a very useful construction material.
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This type of forest was once the most plentiful lowland forest in Auckland. e re t i ka ur
In the least disturbed parts of the bush reserve the largest trees are 100 years old. In younger areas of the bush, twisted and tall kanuka are more common.
Coastal pohutukawa forest
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Wetland This is the largest freshwater wetland remaining on the North Shore. The most common plant is raupo (bulrush) which provides valuable habitat for animals such as pukeko, ducks and native fish. Mangroves and various native sedges grow around the fringes, some die back along with the raupo over winter. The wetland does an important job of cleaning water before it is released into the marine environment. Further up the wetland, cabbage trees have emerged since willows were removed.
The short and steep coastal slopes closest to Little Shoal Bay are home to mature broad-leaved trees (e.g. kohekohe, karaka, puriri) and pohutukawa with the occasional large kauri.
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These trees are tough - they have adapted to grow in shallow soil on steep slopes and withstand strong winds and salt spray from the storms that sweep through the bay. This kind of forest was once common in the coastal areas of the North Shore and the Auckland region. It is now a rare sight, reduced to fragments and narrow strips around the coast.
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