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Australia
I ran away from teaching to the country to grow veggies. There are also some chooks and a pair of troublesome goats who were so much trouble they had to go! My simple green life isn't always as simple or as green as I'd like...but I keep trying!

Monday, April 25, 2011

Another favourite gum

We took a trip today to visit family who have recently purchased a holiday house 
on Lake Mulwala on the Murray River. 
The Murray forms a natural boundary between 
the States of Victoria and New South Wales.  
If you are interested in finding more about 
the significance of the river to this country's history (click here)

My favourite inhabitants of the area are the grand old 
River Red Gums (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) 
I think I told you once that Eucalyptus citriodora was my favourite gum but you can't really beat the majesty and history in an Old Red.



These gorgeous giants can live to over 
500 years of age.  
What a pity they can't
tell us what they have witnessed.  

The river red gum forests are the most widely distributed in the state.  
As their name suggests, they live by waterways 
and on floodplains where they flourish and can grow as tall as 45 metres.  
Their wood is a rich red colour.  
They are also known as 'widow makers' 
as they can randomly drop one of their branches...
even in still weather and too bad if you are camped underneath.


Their sheer size, the twisted growth of their branches and their lovely patterned bark make them eye catching individuals.


Like so many wonderful parts of the natural world
the river red gum forests have felt the impact of man.
Although they are so common, in some areas 
75% the trees are stressed or dying due to logging and grazing. 

11 comments:

  1. Your top picture today of the lake is just beautiful....hope you had a great time...

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  2. Interesting post and beautiful photos.

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  3. Beautiful.I'm lucky enough to live with these giants and am thankful for them every day.

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  4. Lovely picture of the lake and trees I am going to read more.

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  5. I don't like the sound of a tree that can drop a massive branch on top of you, just on a whim! Hope the ones near you are better behaved, Hazel.

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  6. They are so beautiful. We certainly live in a beautiful place, if only those who are bent on distroying it for monetary gain would just stop and realise how lucky we are. We need to preserve it for future generations to also enjoy xx

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  7. So glad to see someone else who loves an old gum! :)

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  8. Oh yes, I am all for the lake too, it is just beautiful Hazel.

    Are there crocodiles in it?

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  9. Hopefully this year's "big wet" will help the river red gums as well.

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  10. Love an "Old Red" myself.... great when you get to see some of the old majestic ones.

    Also just found you pumpkin challenge - we just made a fantastic Gramma Pie with our harvest - see here http://towardsustainabilitywiththreekids.blogspot.com/2011/04/grammas-pies-and-much-more.html

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