Day: July 26, 2023

Denzils Nature Challenge #22: Tree Bark

I don’t really know where to start as I have so many photos of bark. Yes I am a bit weird when it comes to what’s around me and the unusual I find when I am travelling else where.

Here is a number of photos from my media folder of trees from years ago. I found that bark is bark and to have bark change on a tree is evolution. If it has happened in my lifetime it’s really sneaky and subtle.

I just realised that some of these are unnamed so I might have to guess.

This could be a Corkwood or a Foambark Tree

A Plane Tree Found nearly all over the world

A native Fig Tree, maybe a Port Jackson Fig

When there is a lot of rain, some trees produce foam.

“This occurs when rainwater dissolves chemicals from the tree bark as it flows down the stem of the tree. This changes the surface tension of the water so that when it drips down towards the base of the tree, the air is introduced due to the turbulence of the water, and foam is formed because of the altered surface tension.”

This is foam coning from a Bloodwood Tree

Bloodwood is a funny name. It comes from the tree exuding a red sap which runs down the bark, giving it a blood like stain. I wrote about the tree a while ago and can be found here if you are interested

The bark of a Red Ironbark is quite rough with fissures running up and down the length of the tree. The new growth on the ends of the branches have a smooth bark. Ironbarks too do exude a small amount of sap. This sap was used by our First People as a glue. Rub it between your hands until it softens and fasten the stone axe head to the handle

Everyone loves Scribbly Gums. The tracks are made by a beetle larvae

There is a number of trees that shed their bark in strips. On my place it is the Grey Gums and the ones like this one below, the Forest Red Gums. These bark strips had lots of uses as well like making baskets

This is a spot the difference with Spotted Gums. When Spotted Gums are dry they are quite abstract.

But when Spotted Gums get wet a transformation takes place

Getting wet after a fire is another world

Spotted Gums are resilient trees. Originally the fencing wire would have been wrapped around the tree, using it for a strainer post. Those two post either side are the replacement strainer posts

I cannot find the name of this tree. The old bark strips off revealing a stunning orange new layer which yellows over time

Another type of tree are the fibrous bark trees. I have around five different species that have a fibrous bark. When fire gets onto this type of bark is flash burns and runs up the tree only singing the bark, saving the wood beneath.

This Tallowwood has had an accident. Another tree has crashed down, shaving the side of this tree, perhaps knocking off a branch. The bark goes into action forming a paper like surface that get thicker, sealing over the wound. The tree will have a scar like this one forever

G’day, just seeing if you kept up and got this far. Thanks for having a read. A Bottle Tree