New Zealand’s Christmas Tree
One of the coolest builds I’ve done!
This special kit was a build from 20+ year old Pohutukawa which was just stunning to work with!
Specs:
20” x 18” kick
10” x 8” rack tom
14” x 14” floor tom
Custom made for @crispy__cody
The story goes that 20+ years ago a huge Pohutukawa was in danger of falling on a local boat ramp south of Auckland. Permission was sought from council and local Iwi to drop the tree and when they did they found the core of the tree was rotten and hollow but as it was so large there were some good big branches that were worth keeping. Time goes by with keeping them dry in storage and Cody and his father brought the remaining pieces still in the family over to me to see what could be done. After working out how best to cut the slabs up to get enough out of them for a few drums I got to work on the kit that will hopefully be in the family for many years yet! Who knew all those years ago there was a gorgeous drum kit growing at the boat ramp.
“PUTARA” Is the name given to this kit. After researching more on the history and meaning of the Pohutukawa tree in Māori mythology the red flowers represent the blood of the warrior Tawhaki. A young warrior trying to avenge his fathers death. I thought it was fitting that it have a Māori name.
