On Farrer Ridge there is a large spreading old tree, and recently a limb
fell off without provocation. The interesting thing about it was, the limb
was not dead at all, but quite healthy looking.
There is a raven's nest quite high in the tree, but I don't think it was
used this year.
This is a story without a moral.
-----Original Message-----
From: Ian Hodgson
Sent: Tuesday, 22 December 2009 8:46 PM
To: Canberra Birds
Subject: Trees
I'm not a tree expert. In fact I know very little about trees, but I have
seen lots of old trees around Australia where the main trunk is hollow,
either as a result of fires or presumably eaten out by termites. Biut the
tree doesn't seem to have died. Maybe that's because the growing living part
that carries nutrients up the trunk to the limbs is that bit just below the
bark; at least that's what the books say in a more technical way. I'm sure
someone will correct me if I'm wrong.
Also, my recollection from school physics is that a tube is stronger than a
rod. Therefore, wouldn't a hollow branch be stronger than a solid one?
Incidentally, we've had koels calling most nights and first thing in the
morning almost every day for several weeks. We're not that far from Higgins.
Ian Hodgson
Weetangera
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