PROJECT CRIMSON
Project Crimson for Christmas
Article and photographs by Chris Thomasen of the Manawatu Branch of Forest and Bird. Published in the Guardian newspaper 23 December 2004
 Each year as we reach December, Northern rata and Pohutukawa begin to bloom in the Manawatu signalling the approach of the festive season. Sometimes the display will start early in the month but seasonal differences can delay the flowering by up to three weeks. Northern rata, Metrosideros robusta is our local Christmas tree while Pohutukawa, Metrosideros excelsa fills that position in the north of the country and Southern rata, Metrosideros umbellata in the south.
Long ago Northern rata was once plentiful in our region, but clearing of the forest for farming, followed by the introduction of possums from Australia, means there are now very few of those original trees remaining.
 The organization 'Project Crimson' was started after the dramatic decrease in Pohutukawa was noticed in the north of the country. Project Crimson supplied help with the protection of adult trees from possums and also for the growing of seedlings. A great improvement in the health and frequency of Pohutukawa is now taking place. More recently Project Crimson has been extended to include Northern and Southern rata as well. Project Crimson encourages eco-planting or collecting seed and cuttings from as close as possible to where they will be planted out.
Manawatu Forest and Bird has been involved in growing Northern rata with Project Crimson and recently returned ten young Northern rata to people living in the Rewa District. Waituna West School plans to join Project Crimson with more trees from this source in the coming years. Young trees sourced from a Northern rata growing nearer to the Tararua Ranges will soon be ready for planting in areas closer to Palmerston North.
 Growing Northern rata conventionally in soil is second choice and not something that can be hurried because Northern rata prefers to begin life as an epiphyte, growing on another tree such as a rimu or a hinau,. Although the seeds will germinate in as little as two weeks the progress from then is usually rather slow. There are many losses and trees will usually be at least five years old before they are large enough to plant out.
Once planted, and with enough shelter for the first year or two, the young trees will begin to flower when they reach about two metres in height. Northern rata flowers supply nectar and are a favourite of tui and other nectar eating birds.
Addendum:
Puhutakawa have been promoted by garden centres and the PNCC locally as the red flowering plant to encourage the birds and are viewed as quite precious. They are, but in fact they will hybridise readily with the Northern Rata and are not the plant that belongs to this region so the practice of growing the plant that really belongs in the northern part of New Zealand, the pohutakawa, is not protecting our centrally growing Northern Rata. There are quite a few Northern Rata listed as Notable Trees.
If you wish to view one check out the Rangitikei Street side of the Square and the carpark of Child Youth and Family on Church Street.
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