Welcome to my Blog

Welcome to my Blog

I created this space to post my thoughts and photos. It began in 2012 with my travels to New Zealand, Tasmania and living and studying in Australia then continued back to Canada with my return home to Edmonton and moving to Victoria, British Columbia. Join me on the journey. Post a comment!

Friday, 4 May 2012

The Mighty Gum Trees

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a gum tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of lorakeets in her hair;
Upon whose bosom a koala has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
With apologies to Joyce Kilmer
There are over 700 species of Eucaplytus tree in Australia but the most common here are the White Gum with a smooth bark and Eucalyptus sheathiana where the outermost layer of bark dies and sheds in long strips, kind of like an Arbutus.
Aussies treasure the gum trees. They put a soft type of asphalt around the base of those in residential areas so they can grow.

1 comment:

Stephanie said...

Ha -- Yes, we were thinking of trees at the same time !! I too remember the misty, aromatic gums, and how their bark would peel, leaving colorful tracks.
Stephanie