A Blog by John Halkett

Category: Philosophy

Algerian oak planted to mark British superiority

Tree planting to mark first all-Australian conference in February 1890 to discuss the introduction of a federal system of government.

Australia’s foundation strong colonial ties continued to be evident in the selection of trees planted to mark formal occasions, such as visits by British royalty or a commemoration by early Sydney-based governors and other dignitaries.

When the NSW Premier Sir Henry Parkes presided over the first all-Australian conference in February 1890 to discuss the introduction of a federal system of government, he planted and an oak tree in the gardens of Parliament… Read more “Algerian oak planted to mark British superiority”

Exquisite, specular cherry blossoms

Japan is particularly famous for its cherry blossom due its large number of varieties and the nationwide celebrations during the blooming season.

A cherry blossom is the flower from a Prunus tree, of which there are many different kinds. Cherry blossoms are found throughout the world being especially common in regions in the Northern Hemisphere with temperate climates, including Japan, China, and Korea, as well as Nepal, India, Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan, and several areas across northern Europe.

Japan is particularly famous for its cherry flowers due its large number of varieties… Read more “Exquisite, specular cherry blossoms”

Singapore’s concrete and steel Supertrees

Known for doing things on a grand scale, the stylish city of Singapore has created the ultimate green space, but with a difference. Its city forest, built from concrete and steel is nonetheless a celebration of trees, and now the city’s distinguishing tourist attraction.
The city’s futuristic Supertree Grove of 18 Supertrees has become shorthand for Singapore itself, in much the same way that the Eiffel Tower says Paris.
Each Supertree consists of a trunk core made of reinforced concrete wrapped with a steel frame. Panels on the trunks are planted with of a ‘living skin’.  
With ‘trunks’ enveloped… Read more “Singapore’s concrete and steel Supertrees”

Baobab trees – upside-down giants

Among the world’s most unusual trees, the baobabs are frequently described as being grotesque because of their huge, swollen, bottle-shaped trunks supporting a shallow crown of ungainly branches.

Standing tall on the sunburned plains of Africa and Australia, baobabs may be amongst the oldest life forms on the planet. Many of the specimens standing today have been around for well over two thousand years. Tremendous in size and bizarre in appearance, they have provided food, medicine, and places of refuge and worship to countless peoples, even on occasion serving as prisons and tombs.… Read more “Baobab trees – upside-down giants”

Home of the gods

Trees have frequently been viewed as places of reverence and the home of gods. Even today when trees and forests are recognised as the source of so many products essential to daily life, they are still revered as special places of environmental, cultural and spiritual importance.

In his book; The Tree in Changing Light, Australian author Roger McDonald1 expresses the connection between man and trees as follows:

It is impossible to separate trees from people’s attitudes about themselves – their fears, their lack of self-acceptance, their timidity and their ignorance. But nothing is

Read more “Home of the gods”

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