FSO–Earth Day

In celebration of Earth Day, today’s topic are things earthy – trees, leaves, branches, dirt, planting for Earth Day.

We have many trees here on the farm, most of them natives but a few introduced species as well.  Of these, I think the poplar is probably the most profuse.   They were first grown in New Zealand in the 1830s as ornamental trees and for shelter.  Although they do add beauty and provide shelter for the stock, their main function on farms today is to prevent erosion on hill country farms and along creeks and drains.   In this photo you can see poplars growing happily alongside several native species and the native forest in the background.

When I thought about just one tree to feature I was torn between my favourite tree beside the road between here and town or the historic one I visited a couple of weeks ago.   My favourite is a bit out of season right now, so I decided on the historic one.   Despite being a native of the east coast of Australia it is ranked among New Zealand’s 10 most notable trees.  Planted around 1850, it’s a Moreton Bay Fig and in 1984 stood 26.5 m (86.9 feet) high and 48.5 m (159 feet) wide.  No, I didn’t measure it, that’s according to Wikipedia.  Some dead branches must have been removed on the left, as in my older photos it is perfectly rounded.

The rest of my photos are taken on the farm:

Branches and twigs sitting on the banks of our little Pikiwahine Stream:

They were washed downstream in the most recent flood in February, and along with bigger logs, took out my son’s bridge over the stream.  I like looking at the layers in the dirt along the banks of the stream.  They tell the history of the land. 

Our dirt road (and a few trees) as it weaves its way up the valley past the farm:

I've had a peep at some of the other participants shots this week and they are well worth popping over here to see.