Photos

Australian Gums / Eucalypts

Some of these trees are over 100 years old and they grow in Cornwall Park, which is a landscaped park designed for the recreation and enjoyment of all the people of New Zealand. It has tree plantings dating back over the past 150 years. Remember NZ was only beginning to be colonized about 200 years ago.

The Eucalypt Grove in Cornwall Park has more than 30 Eucalyptus species, all exotic to New Zealand, and was planted around 100 years ago.

Eucalyptus is an enormous and fascinating genus. It comprises over 700-800 species, and accounts for more than two-thirds of Australia’s vegetation. They populate almost every habitat in Australia, from high snowy mountains to arid deserts to tropical rainforests.

The term "gum tree" is derived from the habit of some eucalypt species to exude a sticky, gum-like substance from the trunk. This is by no means a general characteristic but "gum tree" has become a common generic term for most eucalypts.

There are a number of rare and unusual species in Cornwall Park, and I enjoyed wandering around them and photographing the attractive colourful bark many of them had.

I think the Gum trees seem to grow better here than they do in their home-land. We have wetter weather, and Australia is well known for its dry climate.

The little spindly tree on the front left is a NZ Cordyline – also known as a Cabbage Tree. It’s where we get our cabbages from. . .

Janice