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(Photo: angelfire) |
On the Australian savannah, there is a giant tree species that reaches heights of over 100 meters. The tallest of these trees can reach up to 150 meters, surpassing the giant sequoias in the Americas by 14 meters, which is equivalent to a 50-story building. They are often referred to as the “tallest towers in the plant kingdom.”
Commonly known as the Australian Mountain Ash, this tree belongs to the Myrtle family and thrives in the semi-arid regions of Oceania. Its trunk is straight with minimal branching, tapering as it rises, with branches and leaves only appearing at the very top. This shape is advantageous for wind resistance. The base of the tree is also quite large, with the diameter of the largest specimens reaching up to 10 meters, nearly the width of an average high-rise building.
The roots of this tree extend deep and wide into the ground, allowing it to absorb nutrients and resist toppling over. Estimates suggest that such a tree can transpire up to 175 tons of water each year. In some regions, it is planted in swampy areas to replace water pumps.
We often say “seeking shade under a tree.” However, with the Australian Mountain Ash, one cannot expect much shade, as its leaves are small, long, and curved, growing horizontally and parallel to the sunlight, resembling a curtain that allows light to filter through the gaps and onto the ground.
Despite its towering height, the seeds of the Australian Mountain Ash are tiny, measuring only about 1.1-0.2 mm; it takes 20 seeds to equal the weight of a single grain of rice. Nevertheless, it grows very quickly, being one of the fastest-growing trees in the world. Within just 5-6 years, it can exceed 10 meters in height with a circumference of over 40 cm.
The wood of the Australian Mountain Ash is excellent for shipbuilding and utility poles. The wood can also be processed into plastic products, and its leaves have a distinctive fragrance, used to produce eucalyptus oil, which is effective for relieving colds, reducing inflammation, soothing itching, and eucalyptus candy to alleviate coughs.
