Those who visit the Southward Car Museum south of Waikanae will likely notice this old sign in the foyer for Big Tree motor oil and motor spirit. This was imported to NZ from California and advertising for it in NZ is noted from 1916 onwards until the brand was bought by Shell in 1950. It’s unclear if this takeover also applied in California.

Big Tree was named for California’s giant redwood trees.

This California coast redwood reaches slightly above 30 metres (100 feet). The base diameter is 8.3 metres (27.4 ft). There are many examples in the forests much bigger than this one. For those who love trees, a drive through the Avenue of the Giants (50 km/30 miles) is well worth doing. It runs beside U.S. Highway 101 from Garberville to Pepperwood and curves around the massive trees with lovely vistas.