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Rainbow Eucalyptus trees get their colorful appearance when they shed their bark, starting with bright green patches that gradually transform into orange, maroon, and blue hues
Eucalyptus deglupta is a species of tall tree, commonly known as the rainbow eucalyptus, Mindanao gum, or rainbow gum that is native to the Philippines, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. It is the only Eucalyptus species that usually lives in rainforest, with a natural range that extends into the Northern Hemisphere. It is characterized by multi-colored bark which starts with bright green patches that will gradually transform into orange, maroon, and blue hues.
I made cards to hand out so people remember what I am... it reads
I am a
GUMLEAF SKELETONISER
(Uraba lugens)
This caterpillar is a common pest on eucalyptus in Australia. Every time it sheds its exoskeleton, the head portion stays attached to the top of the new head. Over time, it sheds increasingly larger exoskeleton shells, which build upon each other.
Why do they do this?
... to appear bigger and more threatening to predators.
... to provide a false target for predators to strike at.
... to deflect attacks by shaking their heads vigorously.
have you ever been a bug for Halloween? I want to know about it!!
The beginning of a blackbutt hollow on a marri tree (Corymbia calophylla).
When fire burns severely it can sometimes 'kill' the bark, even on hardy fire-adapted Eucalypts. This causes a loss of integrity and will fall away, like we can see here. Now the trunk is exposed without bark on this side. The tree will generate another bark layer, but until it does, it will be subject to insect attack and other issues.
These blackbutts are now more susceptible to damage from fire. Over the years as repeated fires effect the area, the hollow will become bigger, and fire can get 'into' the tree rather than just burning the bark, and they can burn from the inside out. We call these trees "chimneys." You will see what looks to be a normal, un-burnt tree, but it's billowing smoke out the top - because it's burning internally.
This is a giant marri blackbutt is completely burned out underneath (6'3" friend for scale)!
From beneath. By the way, this tree is still alive!