Giant Bonsai

[Trithor]

I know it is a contradiction, giant and bonsai, but these are my favourite trees. They look like giant sized bonsai, their shape and growth pattern make them look prehistoric. They are extremely slow growing and can withstand some pretty harsh conditions. Acasia erioloba (camel thorn, camel here refers to the giraffe, not the humped variety)


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As can be seen from the picture, there is a distinct browse line on the crown of the tree, which marks the level which giraffe can reach to. The seedpods are large and a very rich source of protein for all sorts of small animals which can often be seen browsing them under the trees at sundown

The bark is extremely coarse, and grows moss and lichen even in this harsh environment. (on the shade side obviously)


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[Evergreen]

Nice, more photos from Africa please

 

[NYEric]

Thanks for sharing.

 

[Rick]

KNARLY!!!

Excellent:clap:

 

[SlipperFan]

Wouldn't you like to see orchids growing in that knarl?

I loved to see the Acasia trees, also. And the BauBau trees.

 

[Migrant13]

So much character in that twisted bark. Any idea how old that larger one might be?

 

[jjkOC]

Cool tree!

 

[abax]

Africa is full of wonders. That tree is perfect just the way it is.

 

[JeanLux]

Beautiful!!!!

that bark would give a nice mount fir a solid catt.!!!! Jean

 

[gnathaniel]

Beautiful tree with fantastic bark. Do you have any photos of the mosses on the shady side? I'm somewhat obsessed with moss...

 

[Trithor]

So much character in that twisted bark. Any idea how old that larger one might be?

I have a photo of the original farmhouse taken in 1912, and the tree is visible in the background. To be honest it does not look any bigger now. Over the 20 years that I have owned the farm, I cant say that if I compare early pictures to current pictures, that there is any appreciable size difference. Your guess would be as good as mine.

Beautiful tree with fantastic bark. Do you have any photos of the mosses on the shady side? I'm somewhat obsessed with moss...

I would have to do that the next time I go up. An interesting feature of these trees is that woodpeckers love to make their homes in them. They must find a patch of softer wood, because the heartwood is so dense that you cannot chop it with an axe. We use a pick to break pieces off to use in the fire (Old dead logs are scattered around the farm. I have collected a few which I have used as column supports for my roof (a mixture of camel thorn and leadwood trees)

 

[Stone]

Fantasic! Perfect for a leopard to drag a carcass up into.

 

[goldenrose]

KNARLY!!!

:rollhappyerfect description!

So much character in that twisted bark.

Character galore! My kind of tree!

 

[The Orchid Boy]

Lovely in my opinion!