Everything you ever wanted to know about pöhutukawa and rätä trees from the award-winning author of Dancing Leaves: The story of New Zealand's Cabbage Tree, Tï Kouka This book celebrates pöhutukawa and rätä trees, symbols of summer and New Zealand's unique natural environment and beloved national icons. The book explores the place of these trees in the natural world, their importance to Mäori, their role in art and design, and their many uses. It also looks at the threats from possums and people that they face today. The book contains a wealth of new research and is generously illustrated in colour with over 400 photographs, diagrams, maps, and artworks. This is an essential resource for conservationists, gardeners, teachers, and students. Winner Montana Medal for Non Fiction 2006. Wnner Environment category of the Montana New Zealand Book Awards 2006.