Also erron. totarra. [Maori tó tăra (Morris).] A large New Zealand coniferous tree, Podocarpus Totara, producing light, durable, tough timber of a dark red color, highly valued for building, piles, cabinet work, etc.
1832. G. Bennett, in Lambert, Genus Pinus, II. 190 (Morris). This is an unpublished species of Podocarpus, called Totara by the natives.
1840. J. S. Polack, Mann. & Cust. N. Zealanders, I. xx. 227. The totarra or red-pine.
1860. Donaldson, Bush Lays, 38. A ponderous totara down on them doth bear.
1872. A. Domett, Ranolf, vi. i. 107. One lone totára-tree that grew Beneath the hill-side.
1892. E. Reeves, Homeward Bound, 73. Totara piles immersed in salt water for forty years have been taken up at Wellington sound as the day they were put down.
