Small-leaf Fig (Ficus obliqua)
One of Australia's largest rainforest trees may be seen in the mid north coast region of New South Wales.
The laser returned a figure of 66.1 metres. (64.4 metres on the screen, 1.7 metres added for the height above the ground at eye level). The tree was measured on the other side of the Wilson River, and the base of the tree was somewhat raised above the river bank.
So the actual figure would be less than this number, by a metre or three. 63 metres tall is a quotable figure for this tree.
I'm dubious of published heights of Australian trees. The scientists are too conservative. And the commercial and tourist publications exaggerate.
These figs are immense; they are giants, leviathans, colossal in the height and breadth. There's one nearly as tall, up at Sheepstation Creek in the Border Ranges.
Scientific publications say this tree may reach 30 metres. Don't you believe it!
Twenty or so years ago I wrote a poem about a giant. In mythology, giants are usually good natured creatures who live a happy solitary life. Often in their cave, and don't use their strength for anything but good.
However, in this case. The giant was being annoyed by a group of goblins. Who made noises, lit fires and were a nuisance.
I read this poem aloud to an audience of literary people. Gave the poem a similar preview, saying the giant is easy going as rule.
When reading the poem I made sure I did so very slowly. Usually I gabble and speak at an intensely quick rate. Which is mostly unintelligible for the average listener.
So, I read it very slowly. There were plenty of pauses, even though it is a short poem.
At the end, the poem got a lot of applause, I was shocked. A couple of people approached me after the reading, saying how horrible it was, and how bloody and disgusting it was. (Saying so in a complimentary way of course).
I had no expectation that it would evoke this reaction.
Anyway, the tree in the photo is a giant. The poem is about a giant. Here it is:
GIANT
they light their fires near my cave
drum and chanting
throwing rocks my way
too small to bother me
until today
I slept and a goblin came near
screaming in my ear
breaking a bad dream
I knocked it with a backhand flip
half my height
but what a bizarre fight!
it kicked and squirmed
a howling shriek
a turmoil of strength
before I ripped off an arm
the stink of black blood
the festering insides
I twisted the head off
hurled it to its mates
so now they know to let me be
don't mess with me
'cause I'm a Giant
Small-leaf Fig (Ficus obliqua)
One of Australia's largest rainforest trees may be seen in the mid north coast region of New South Wales.
The laser returned a figure of 66.1 metres. (64.4 metres on the screen, 1.7 metres added for the height above the ground at eye level). The tree was measured on the other side of the Wilson River, and the base of the tree was somewhat raised above the river bank.
So the actual figure would be less than this number, by a metre or three. 63 metres tall is a quotable figure for this tree.
I'm dubious of published heights of Australian trees. The scientists are too conservative. And the commercial and tourist publications exaggerate.
These figs are immense; they are giants, leviathans, colossal in the height and breadth. There's one nearly as tall, up at Sheepstation Creek in the Border Ranges.
Scientific publications say this tree may reach 30 metres. Don't you believe it!
Twenty or so years ago I wrote a poem about a giant. In mythology, giants are usually good natured creatures who live a happy solitary life. Often in their cave, and don't use their strength for anything but good.
However, in this case. The giant was being annoyed by a group of goblins. Who made noises, lit fires and were a nuisance.
I read this poem aloud to an audience of literary people. Gave the poem a similar preview, saying the giant is easy going as rule.
When reading the poem I made sure I did so very slowly. Usually I gabble and speak at an intensely quick rate. Which is mostly unintelligible for the average listener.
So, I read it very slowly. There were plenty of pauses, even though it is a short poem.
At the end, the poem got a lot of applause, I was shocked. A couple of people approached me after the reading, saying how horrible it was, and how bloody and disgusting it was. (Saying so in a complimentary way of course).
I had no expectation that it would evoke this reaction.
Anyway, the tree in the photo is a giant. The poem is about a giant. Here it is:
GIANT
they light their fires near my cave
drum and chanting
throwing rocks my way
too small to bother me
until today
I slept and a goblin came near
screaming in my ear
breaking a bad dream
I knocked it with a backhand flip
half my height
but what a bizarre fight!
it kicked and squirmed
a howling shriek
a turmoil of strength
before I ripped off an arm
the stink of black blood
the festering insides
I twisted the head off
hurled it to its mates
so now they know to let me be
don't mess with me
'cause I'm a Giant