Talking Trees

A Blog by John Halkett

Category: Nature (Page 4 of 4)

Buttress roots supporting tropical forest trees, Brunei
Buttress roots supporting tropical forest trees, Brunei

Buttress roots in Brunei

August 28, 2016 /

Been working in Brunei Darussalam recently, including having a look around the Temburong National Park. The park is notable for its extensive pristine tropical forest on hill country, with some interesting inhabitants, including the endangered Proboscis monkey. The trees in the park are numerous in terms of numbers of species and size. The average height of the taller trees rarely exceeds 50 to 60 metres, though individual trees may grow up to 90 metres tall.

Buttress roots are a fascinating feature in tropical forests and I saw some great examples in Brunei. Unlike temperate forests where… Read more “Buttress roots in Brunei”

Stone pines amongst the remains of ancient Rome.
Stone pines amongst the remains of ancient Rome.

Stone pines – feature of Rome

May 24, 2016 /

Just back from working in Rome. Many would say that the defining feature of the place is the colosseum and other ruins from Roman times. Sure they are impressive, but a more universal feature of the city is the extensive plantings of stone pine as street and decorative trees. These highly manicured trees give Rome a distinct look – more so in my opinion that the remnants of Julius Caesar and his mates.

Stone pine (Pinus pinea) also called Italian stone pine, umbrella pine and parasol pine is native to the Mediterranean region, occurring in Southern Europe, Israel, Lebanon and Syria. The tree has been… Read more “Stone pines – feature of Rome”

Sole remaining mahogany tree from those planted in 1885.
Sole remaining mahogany tree from those planted in 1885.

Penang mahogany tree

April 12, 2016 /

Just back from working in Penang, Malaysia. This mahogany (Khaya senegalensis) tree is the sole remaining survivor of those planted in the church grounds in1885.

The church, St George The Martyr, is the oldest Anglican church in Southeast Asia. It was built by convicts brought in from India in 1819. A critical component of the church’s construction was mahogany beams that travelled from India to Penang on the same ship as the convicts.

The church was damaged by Japanese bombing in 1941 and repaired in 1948. It was given national heritage status by the Malaysian Government in 2007, together… Read more “Penang mahogany tree”

Eucalypt group comprised of more than 700 species of trees and shrubs.
Eucalypt group comprised of more than 700 species of trees and shrubs.

Gum tree – world’s most successful tree

March 21, 2016 /

Considering that Australia is the home of the gum tree, compared with other countries, we have been slow in planting our own eucalypts in tree plantations. Although more than 14 million hectares of gum trees have been planted across the world.

Eucalypts account for more than 70 per cent of the trees in Australia’s natural forests and woodlands, growing in a wide range of climates from the hot tropics to near-desert inland plains to alpine snowfields. Evolving from rainforest ancestors, eucalypts have adapted to an environment where nutrient-poor soils are common and a dry environment has become… Read more “Gum tree – world’s most successful tree”

Joshua tree… sucking up water in California’s Mojave desert.
Joshua tree… sucking up water in California’s Mojave desert.

Trees grow almost anywhere – take the Joshua tree

March 17, 2016 /

No doubt – trees are feats of architectural and engineering excellence among nature’s greatest achievements. Trees – and of course forests – are found in all regions of the Earth capable of sustaining plant growth. At altitudes up to the snow line, except where it is too dry, or where fire frequency is too high, or where the environment has been altered by natural disturbance or human activity.

Remarkably nature has gifted trees with the ability to survive in extreme weather conditions – from sub zero temperatures to dry scorching deserts. Trees grow in polar regions in Siberia, Alaska and Canada,… Read more “Trees grow almost anywhere – take the Joshua tree”

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