A first trip ‘round the world, part 48

As an Australian ski resort, Mt. Buller found itself in the midst of a forest of eucalyptus.

Long after a snowfall, the flexible tree limbs would normally stand and hide their surroundings with their year-round greenery, but under the weight of a recent snowfall, their leafy crown would almost collapse revealing the entire village. 

Now you see it, now you don’t! The flexible tree is either called eucalyptus, gum tree or even snow gum. Without a question, it’s the ubiquitous tree of the Australian landscape that remains always green through the entire year. 

With more than 800 species, these trees dominate the country scene, forming forests, woodland and shrublands in all environments except for the most arid deserts. The trees are called "gum tree" because of the sticky rubbery substance that flows from the injured bark. 

The sight and smell of eucalypti are also defining part of Australian life. It’s a fragrance that I have always since associated with my Australian experience. In fact, the sight of the blue haze from the eucalyptus oil arising from the bush in the mountain ranges west of Sydney gave the Blue Mountains their name. 

In the Snowy Mountains, these trees are also called “snow gums”. In winter, eucalyptus trees simply stop growing and produce no new buds, but when they grow, some of them, in the plains, can reach over 300 ft (90 meters) tall — taller than any trees but the Californian redwoods! 

Like for most trees, eucalyptus lifespan depends on the species, but most can survive over 250 years in the wild. Beside being very fragrant, their leaves are rich in oil that can be used to alleviate the symptoms of bronchitis, sore throat and nasal congestion… 

Three main eucalypti make up the mountain woodlands. The Black and White Sallees (eucalyptus stellulata and pauciflora) are both snow gums and are unique to the alpine environment. 

 These trees have been twisted and contorted by the harsh weather conditions and have some beautiful colors especially when wet. The Candlebark (eucalyptas rubida) grow much taller and straighter than the snow gums and have a beautiful red trunk in the warmer months. In addition to eucalyptus trees, were the acacias. 

Two species are found in the Snowy Mountains, the acacia delbater and the acacia melanoxolin and these provide a home for birds and offer some extra colors to the landscape during spring. 

I will always remembers these beautiful sunny mornings, the frozen snow wrapping lift towers and Mt. Buller's fragrant eucalyptus trees!