Youman's Stringybark

The trees in this spotting really caught my eye. I was starting my climb up the rocky granite slopes of Mt. Norman when the first tree came into view. Initially it looked as if it was growing straight out of the rock, but the photos reveal some of the root structure, and how the trees have taken hold along the cracks and crevices. Over time, dirt, ash and debris has accumulated around the roots forming the basis of soil, allowing other plants like shrubs and grasses to also get a foothold. It forms its own little ecosystem in what would otherwise be barren rock. It obviously works well for this and the other trees nearby, as they are all reasonably large, healthy trees. Please note that much of Australia is still in drought, despite recent rains, so it just goes to show how hardy this species is. PS: Massive fires swept through Girraween 2 months later, in mid-February, 2019, and it will take years to regenerate. Everything you see in these photos has been burnt to a cinder, and I can't help but feel sad for the wildlife that has been destroyed because of one careless human act.