Kookaburras Happy Tree
by Lee Craig
Title
Kookaburras Happy Tree
Artist
Lee Craig
Medium
Photograph - Fine Art Photography-black And White
Description
I was told that this is a Eucalyptus tree. It does appear to match the research that I have found on the Gum eucalyptus trees. The multiple trunks are all one tree and it is a monster of a tree! There are more than 700 species of eucalyptus, mostly native to Australia. Several eucalyptus trees are among the tallest trees in the world. Eucalyptus trees species were brought from Australia to the US in the mid 1800s and presumably around that time to Arizona and California, and this tree is growing happily huge in Arizona!
Eucalyptus trees are biologically remarkable. Oil extracted from eucalyptus leaves and gum produced by the trees contains compounds that are powerful natural disinfectants and insect repellants, protecting the trees from insects, and also have medicinal qualities. The nectar from their flowers makes a fine honey. Because they are fast growers they are useful in the lumber industry and as landscape trees. However, in non-native habitats, and by the way they are now found on all the continents, they can be destructive to native species as a competitor, in plantations they do not support native wildlife and when grown in places with high fire risk, such as California, they are a problem because they are highly flammable.
A humorous note on the Eucalyptus tree is this cin drought conditions they have been known to drop, not just leaves, but whole large branches cand are thought to be the origin for the notorious drop bears. A Drop Bear is a fictitious Australian marsupial. Drop Bears are commonly said to be unusually large, vicious, carnivorous marsupials related to koalas (although the koala is not a bear) that inhabit treetops and attack their prey by dropping onto their heads from above. They are an example of local lore intended to frighten and confuse outsiders and amuse locals, similar to the jackalope, hoop snake, wild haggis or snipe hunt. Various methods are suggested to deter drop bear attacks include placing forks in your hair, spreading toothpaste behind your ears or in your armpits, urinating on yourself, and only speaking English in an Australian accent!
For your collecting pleasure in a detailed black and white printcthis and the other works in my portfolio and galleries are suitable for home and business decor.
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Uploaded
March 24th, 2014
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