The Norfolk Island pine, fibonacci & heritage shingle-making

The Norfolk Island pine, fibonacci & heritage shingle-making - 

 In this episode, let’s explore our iconic Norfolk Island Pine, its ecological and historical significance, and the traditional craft of making roof shingles as a part of our island's cultural heritage. 

I would like to share this overview from a chapter entitled; ‘Norfolk Island’s trees’ by Kevin Mills. Kevin is a botanist and ecologist.

The local native trees number only 32 species, while several hundred different tree species have been brought from elsewhere since Europeans arrived in 1788.

One tree that cannot go unnoticed is the ubiquitous Norfolk Island Pine Araucaria heterophylla. The Norfolk Pine impressed Captain James Cook, the European discoverer of Norfolk Island, who wrote in October 1774 “…the chief produce of the isle is Spruce Pines which grow here in vast abundance and to a vast size, from two to three feet diameter and upwards…”. Cook’s suggestion that “here then is a nother Isle where masts for the tallest Ships may be had” was never realised due to the way in which the branches weaken the trunk by their growth habit.

Philip Gidley King, sent from Sydney to occupy Norfolk Island soon after Port Jackson was established in 1788 by the British, was also impressed by the size of the pines, writing “the pines which are very numerous are of an incredible size, one of them which had been blown down or fell by age, measured 140 feet [c.43 metres] & several others which we measured were 27 feet [c.8 metres] in circumference…”.

 > Have a listen now to a snippet from the 2003 program ‘Radio Shorts’ as hosted by George Smith & Gillian Connolly with this interview with Jackie Ralph Quintal.

One of Norfolk Island's most distinctive cultural practices is the traditional craft of making wooden roof shingles from Norfolk Island Pine. This specialised form of woodworking represents a direct continuation of techniques that have been passed down through generations of island families. The resulting shingle roofs create the characteristic appearance of the historic buildings in KAVHA as produced for restoration projects.

> Have a listen now to Norfolk Islander, Kane Anderson, as he shares his working experience with shingle-making as part of the KAVHA restoration team.

It was in 2009, when Brand Architect Mahesh Enjeti was engaged by Norfolk Tourism for a rebranding and positioning project, that he shared upon his arrival, that during his plane trip here, he was musing upon the numbers 3, 5, 8 which had tweaked his curiosity. That is, the size of the island is 3 x 5 miles or 5 x 8 kilometres. He recognised he said, those numbers are of the fibonacci sequence, and therefore this island must really be somewhere special as it’s already naturally designed in perfect balance!

>AUDIO>>  ‘My Beautiful Island Home’ by Norfolk Islander and singer/ songwriter, Eileen Snell.

For visitors to Norfolk Island, experiencing the majesty of our Norfolk Island pine trees offers a connection to both natural and cultural history. 

The Fibonacci sequence—a simple mathematical pattern with profound implications—reminds us that often the most beautiful aspects of nature are also the most functional, reflecting millions of years of evolutionary refinement toward optimal design.

We look forward to welcoming you here!

Thanks so much for joining me this week!

Sponsored by Baunti Tours www.bauntitours.com

> When booking with Baunti Tours, mention 'Podcast' to receive a 10% discount on tours.

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Transcript

 Welcome to Episode 23 of the Untold Norfolk Island travel podcast series.

My name is Jodie Williams and as a Norfolk Islander & Churchill Fellow, I am your ‘on island’ podcast host.

>>> Audio: You have just heard a snippet from a singalong at an island home in 2011.

The Norfolk Island pine, fibonacci & heritage shingle-making

In this episode, let’s explore our iconic Norfolk Island Pine, its ecological and historical significance, and the traditional craft of making roof shingles as a part of our island's cultural heritage.

I would like to share this overview from a chapter entitled; ‘Norfolk Island’s trees’ by Kevin Mills. Kevin is a botanist and ecologist. He has written extensively on the vegetation of Norfolk Island, where he has been a regular visitor since the early 2000s. He has also undertaken several landmark studies of the flora of Norfolk Island and nearby Phillip Island.

The local native trees number only 32 species, while several hundred different tree species have been brought from elsewhere since Europeans arrived in 1788.

One tree that cannot go unnoticed is the ubiquitous Norfolk Island Pine Araucaria heterophylla. The Norfolk Pine impressed Captain James Cook, the European discoverer of Norfolk Island, who wrote in October 1774 “…the chief produce of the isle is Spruce Pines which grow here in vast abundance and to a vast size, from two to three feet diameter and upwards…”. Cook’s suggestion that “here then is a nother Isle where masts for the tallest Ships may be had” was never realised due to the way in which the branches weaken the trunk by their growth habit.

Philip Gidley King, sent from Sydney to occupy Norfolk Island soon after Port Jackson was established in 1788 by the British, was also impressed by the size of the pines, writing “the pines which are very numerous are of an incredible size, one of them which had been blown down or fell by age, measured 140 feet [c.43 metres] & several others which we measured were 27 feet [c.8 metres] in circumference…”.

While the Norfolk Island Pine is naturally restricted to the island (endemic), it is now planted all around the world, mostly by the sea shore as it stands up to the ocean winds and never grows crooked or stunted before the wind like most other trees. The Norfolk Island Pine is a member of a genus of Southern Hemisphere trees of ancient origin occurring from Australia and New Caledonia to South America. It is an important timber tree on Norfolk and is sourced for many purposes, from constructing buildings to making furniture and toys.

>>> AUDIO > Have a listen now to a snippet from the 2003 program ‘Radio Shorts’ as hosted by George Smith & Gillian Connolly with this interview with Jackie Ralph Quintal.

One of Norfolk Island's most distinctive cultural practices is the traditional craft of making wooden roof shingles from Norfolk Island Pine. This specialised form of woodworking represents a direct continuation of techniques that have been passed down through generations of island families. The resulting shingle roofs create the characteristic appearance of the historic buildings in KAVHA as produced for restoration projects.

>>> AUDIO > Have a listen now to Norfolk Islander, Kane Anderson, as he shares his working experience with shingle-making as part of the KAVHA restoration team.

It was in 2009, when Brand Architect Mahesh Enjeti was engaged by Norfolk Tourism for a rebranding and positioning project, that he shared upon his arrival, that during his plane trip here, he was musing upon the numbers 3, 5, 8 which had tweaked his curiosity. That is, the size of the island is 3 x 5 miles or 5 x 8 kilometres. He recognised he said, those numbers are of the fibonacci sequence, and therefore this island must really be somewhere special as it’s already naturally designed in perfect balance!

The Fibonacci sequence represents one of mathematics' most elegant discoveries, introduced to the Western world by Leonardo Pisano, better known as Fibonacci, in his groundbreaking 1202 book Liber Abaci (Book of Calculation). Though the mathematical principle existed in Indian mathematics centuries earlier, it was Fibonacci's work that made popular this revolutionary sequence throughout Europe during the Renaissance, forever changing how mathematicians understood numerical relationships.

At its core, the sequence follows a deceptively simple rule: each number equals the sum of the two preceding numbers. Beginning with 0 and 1, the sequence unfolds as 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, and continues infinitely.

. The Norfolk Island Pine presents a remarkable living demonstration of Fibonacci mathematics at work in natural systems. The most immediately observable Fibonacci pattern appears in the tree's phyllotaxis—the arrangement of branches and needles around the central stem. Unlike many trees with random or alternate branching, the Norfolk Island Pine exhibits a spiral   pattern that follows precise mathematical ratios closely aligned with the Fibonacci sequence.

When viewed from above, the branches radiate outward in spiral patterns that optimise light exposure for each needle cluster. These spirals conform to specific Fibonacci fractions—most commonly 3/8, 5/13, or 8/21—representing the number of turns around the stem relative to the number of branches encountered before reaching a branch directly aligned with the starting point. This arrangement ensures that each branch receives maximum sunlight without being shaded by branches above, demonstrating how mathematical efficiency translates to biological advantage.

Even more fascinating is how the tree's cones exemplify Fibonacci patterns. The scales of Norfolk Island Pine cones arrange themselves in two intersecting spiral patterns—typically 8 spirals in one direction and 13 in the other, or 5 and 8, all consecutive Fibonacci numbers. This arrangement optimises space utilisation while maintaining structural integrity. Similarly, the needle clusters along branches follow Fibonacci-based spacing, with the distance between clusters often corresponding to proportions derived from the golden ratio, approximately 1.618, which emerges naturally from the Fibonacci sequence.

The Norfolk Island Pine has evolved remarkable structural adaptations that enable it to thrive in its challenging island environment where powerful oceanic winds and tropical storms are common. These adaptations, many following Fibonacci-based patterns, represent elegant solutions to environmental pressures. The tree's distinctive conical shape—wider at the base and tapering to a point—creates a naturally wind-resistant profile that disperses force throughout the structure rather than concentrating it in any single area.

The tree's branching pattern exhibits perfect radial symmetry, with branches arranged in whorls of 4-5 at regular intervals along the trunk. This symmetry distributes weight evenly around the central trunk, preventing the tree from becoming top-heavy or unbalanced. The branches themselves display remarkable flexibility, capable of bending significantly without breaking during high winds. This flexibility comes from specialized cell structures and wood grain patterns that follow spiral formations related to the golden ratio, allowing branches to flex in multiple directions while maintaining overall structural integrity.

Perhaps most impressive is the tree's internal architecture of interlocking fibres arranged in helical patterns based on Fibonacci proportions. This arrangement creates a structure similar to a wound spring, capable of absorbing kinetic energy from wind forces and converting it into potential energy through flexion rather than resisting it rigidly. Additionally, the Norfolk Island Pine's root system follows a similar mathematical pattern in its underground spread, with main roots extending outward at angles that optimise stability while secondary roots branch in fractal patterns that maximise soil contact for nutrient absorption. The fallen needles and branches contribute significantly to the island's soil development, creating a specialised nutrient cycle adapted to the volcanic soil conditions. The decomposing organic matter forms a distinctive acidic layer that supports specialised fungi and microorganisms unique to this ecosystem.

The Norfolk Island Pine plays a pivotal ecological role in its native habitat, functioning as both a keystone species and an ecosystem engineer. As one of the tallest trees in its limited island range, it creates a distinct canopy layer that influences the entire forest community. Its branches provide crucial nesting sites for endemic bird species like the Norfolk Island Green Parrot and the migratory seabird, the white fairy terns.

>AUDIO>>  ‘My Beautiful Island Home’ by Norfolk Islander and singer/ songwriter, Eileen Snell.

For visitors to Norfolk Island, experiencing the majesty of our Norfolk Island pine trees offers a connection to both natural and cultural history. Walking trails through stands of mature pines, tours of historic buildings with traditional pine shingle roofs, and demonstrations of woodworking all provide opportunities to appreciate the profound relationship between this remarkable tree and our island community that has grown alongside it.

The Fibonacci sequence—a simple mathematical pattern with profound implications—reminds us that often the most beautiful aspects of nature are also the most functional, reflecting millions of years of evolutionary refinement toward optimal design.

We look forward to welcoming you here!

Thanks so much for joining me this week!