The hollow tree...

Earlier this Winter, June 13th to be precise, I took a walk up the side lane;

heading towards the large eucalypt on the left

I'd passed it so often but hadn't thought to look inside

It is completely hollow, 

right through to a 'door' the other side.

When I was lining up this shot

my little dog walked through that opening

and I screamed at him to get out.

I wish I'd clicked as he walked in!

But I was afraid he'd disappear down the void;

a huge wombat hole

that our neighbour has stuffed with wire.
There was also fresh evidence
that a 'wommy' had been there earlier.

I didn't think to look up inside
to see how far up the space went.
Next time.

On this little path there are
many majestic eucalypts

It's obvious why they're a favourite subject
for many an Aussie artist

There's another one
with a 'wommy' hole

but I wasn't about to crawl through a fence
and walk across boggy land to get to it.

"A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
against the earth's sweet flowing breast."


Excerpt from Joyce Kilmer's "Trees"

The Graceful Gleditsia

Gleditsia triacanthos 'Sunburst' - Honey Locust

Before the advent of shampoo, the ancient, wealthy Chinese used Gleditsia fruit, or grifola, to wash hair. Spices were usually added, giving the hair an intense aroma. It has also been used in China for 2000 years as a detergent.


The Latin name commemorates Gottlieb Gleditsch, director of the Berlin Botanical Gardens, who died in 1786.


G. sinensis is one of the 50 fundamental herbs used in Chinese herbology, where it is called zao jiao and is used for the following complaints. It is considered toxic.

1. Dispels phlegm.
2. Opens the orifices, revives the spirit.
3. Dissipates clumps, reduces swelling.
4. Unblocks the bowels, expels roundworms.

Too much information?

The Elegant Birch

Isaac Levitan, Birch Forest Birkenhain 1885-1889

Birch Tree

The birch tree in winter
Leaning over the secret pool
Is Narcissus in love
With the slight white branches,
The slim trunk,
In the dark glass;
But,
Spring coming on,
Is afraid,
And scarfs the white limbs
In green.

Arthur Seymour John Tessimond 1902-1962

Our Birch Avenue

What will it look like twenty,
fifty years from now?

Plane Trees & 'Ombra Mai Fu' - Handel's Xerxes

tender and beautiful fronds

of my beloved plane tree

let fate smile upon you

may thunder, lightning and storms

never bother your dear peace

nor may you be profaned by blowing winds

never was made

the shade of a plant

dear and loving

or more gentle

Photo: Tom Dempsey

frondi tenere e belle

del mio platano amato

per voi risplenda il fato

tuoni, lampi, e procelle

non vi oltraggino mai la cara pace,

ne giunga a profanarvi austro rapace

ombra mai fu

di vegetabile

care ed amabile

soave piu

Libretto: Niccolo Minato

Fritz Wunderlich, 1930-1966
German Tenor
A promising career cut short;
read the story on Wikipedia.

Plane Trees in Paris - Photo: Dr. Junshuang Ma