Below 2,500–2,800ft the numerous small trees which colonise similar habitats at low altitudes begin to enter; the first are Fuchsia excorticata and Aristotelia serrata. A. community of Hypolepis millefolium, Polystichum vestitum, Danthonia flavescens and Phormium colensoi often develops on young, loose soils both above the altitudinal limits of Hoheria, and in places where the succession to Hoheria forest is delayed.

The pH values of several samples of soil collected in July, 1959, were measured with a Marconi pH meter (Type TF 889/1), using a mixture of approximately 2 volumes of water to 1 of soil. Two samples of soil collected under Hoheria forest at depths of 1–3 inches gave values of 5.1 and 5.3.

(C.f. Hoheria glabrata low forest, Cockayne, 1928, p. 267.)

Olearia Low Forest

Typical Community. Altitude, 2,800ft. Slope, 5°. Aspect, N. E.

Canopy. Co-dominance of Olearia lacunosa, Dracophyllum traversii and Hoheria glabrata. There is also some Olearia ilicifolia. The Dracophyllum traversu is 20–25ft tall and about 10in in diameter. The lower parts of the trunks are inclined downhill; in some trees the trunks are prostrate for a length of 6ft, but no adventitious roots were detected Olearia lacunosa is as tall, and grows to 20in in diameter Hoheria glabrata is a smaller tree.

Shrub Storey. Open, includes Coprosma ciliata and C. pseudocuneata.

Ground Cover This is sparse, due to browsing and trampling. Polystichum vestitum, Coprosma depressa and Uncinia sp are the most important species. There are also Phormium colensoi and Astelia cockaynei.

Regeneration. Seedlings of Olearia ilicifolia and O. lacunosa are common (being comparatively browse-tolerant or unpalatable). There are occasional young plants of Dracophyllum traversii.

Soil. There is a continuous litter of Dracophyllum traversu leaves.

4in: Fine sand, coloured dark brown by humus.

8in: Grey-brown silty sand with numerous, unweathered fragments of schist Roots are mostly between the surface and 6in depth.