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Puzzled?

HMBT!

 

At Dunvegan Gardens, on the Isle of Skye, lives a stately Araucaria araucana, commonly known as monkey puzzle tree. This is a detail of its branches with delicate strands of lichen.

 

Araucaria araucana is an evergreen tree native to central and southern Chile and western Argentina. It is the national tree of Chile. Because of the prevalence of similar species in ancient prehistory, it is sometimes called a living fossil. It might be worth a trip to Reserva Nasampulli, Chile, to view these amazing trees in their natural habitat.

 

While researching these amazing trees, I learned that a 175 year old tree was just toppled by Storm Ellen in Cork, Ireland. So this image is dedicated to the memory of the Mahon Monkey Puzzle Tree in hopes that wood from the tree can be used to create a sculpture to be kept locally.

 

Take care and stay safe. Thanks for stopping by and for all of your support -- I deeply appreciate it.

 

© Melissa Post 2020

 

From the 2019 archives

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Uploaded on August 20, 2020
Taken on April 19, 2019