27-04-2018, 08:57 AM
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Ghost Gums
Ghost Gum TreesA couple of special Ghost Gum trees I was lucky enough to see this Month
This first one is know as the Cazneaux Tree after a French photographer who took a well known picture of it in 1937. It is by Wilpena Pound in South Australia, Cazneaux said of this Ghost Gum
"This giant gum tree stands in solitary grandeur on a lonely plateau in the arid Flinders Ranges, South Australia, where it has grown up from a sapling through the years, and long before the shade from its giant limbs ever gave shelter from heat to white men. The passing of the years has left it scarred and marked by the elements - storm, fire, water, - unconquered, it speaks to us from a Spirit of Endurance. Although aged, its widespread limbs speak of a vitality that will carry on for many more years. One day, when the sun shone hot and strong, I stood before this giant in silent wonder and admiration. The hot wind stirred its leafy boughs, and some of the living elements of this tree passed to me in understanding and friendliness expressing The Spirit of Australia."
This one is a 300 year old Ghost Gum which is near Alice Springs at Threphina Gorge
28-04-2018, 08:50 AM
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Re: Ghost Gums
Originally Posted by Silver Tabby
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Those are very beautiful, DWebb. Are they named 'ghost gums' because they are white ?
https://www.natureboundaustralia.com/ghost-gum/
It is the white bark glowing on a Moonlit night that gives them their name, I am sure one of the Aussies on the forum would have more idea
30-04-2018, 02:50 AM
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Re: Ghost Gums
Just spectacular, DWebb! This is the kind of contribution I really enjoy on this forum that sends me spinning off into a storm of Google searches....The first thing I wanted to know was whether or not they "glow" at night because of a high albedo or because of an additional attribute of phosphorescence. Sure enough, it is just its reflectivity - over 60-70% of light that hits it reflects away from it, compared to snow at 80-90%.
This is a fantastic adaptation, which leaves me wondering why we don't see more white in nature where rain is scarce and sunlight is abundant.
Really, IMHO, nature outdid herself a hundred times when she came up with trees - and these would be among the crown jewels.
30-04-2018, 08:39 PM
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Re: Ghost Gums
Originally Posted by Surfermom
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Just spectacular, DWebb! This is the kind of contribution I really enjoy on this forum that sends me spinning off into a storm of Google searches....The first thing I wanted to know was whether or not they "glow" at night because of a high albedo or because of an additional attribute of phosphorescence. Sure enough, it is just its reflectivity - over 60-70% of light that hits it reflects away from it, compared to snow at 80-90%.
This is a fantastic adaptation, which leaves me wondering why we don't see more white in nature where rain is scarce and sunlight is abundant.
Really, IMHO, nature outdid herself a hundred times when she came up with trees - and these would be among the crown jewels.
I have a bit of a thing for Trees, from the mighty Oaks to the Ghost Gums. I have not been lucky enough to see a Ghost Gum under a Full Moon, I am to scared of the suicidal Kangaroos throwing themselves in front of your car at night 
but in the full Sunlight they look spectacular enough, especially that Cazneaux Tree against the backdrop of Wilpena Pound.
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