You saw it in "The Lord of The Rings". Here is a first-hand painting of the goblin forests by someone who has been there.

A couple of days' walk from anywhere, these stunted, high-altitude forest trees with their roots covered in an array of mosses and lichens, frame a lovely view down into the valley where the river flats glow golden as the river rounds a bend.

Just below 3000' the broadleaf forests give way to beech and at 3500' the forest stops.

This scene is in the Tararuas, and it could be at altitude in any of the North Island forests, or in the beech forests of the South Island.   Conditions look very pleasant right now - but beware.   Within a few hours at this altitude, you can find yourself freezing to the ground on Weathertop.

Acrylic on canvas board. Painting size is 12in x 16in. There is more variety of color than appears here. The painting is carried on round the edges of the canvas board, so painting would go well mounted flat on a larger mat board and then framed. Lines on the image are the scanner light reflecting off relief in the canvas and are not flaws in the painting.

Sold - New York State USA.