Tuesday, February 1, 2011

C is for Canary Island Pines, the most amazing conifers






When I first saw them in 2008, I thought there was something unusual about the Canary Island pine trees, but when we were told the amazing truth about them I realized why some were such strange shapes. Here, on the island of La Palma (Isla de la Palma), a tourist might expect palm trees to be the star performers, but these seemingly-scraggly pines with the spreading needles and the warped branches, are the true stars. Their trunks have extremely thick bark, which doesn't burn when fire rips through the forest. Later, when the fire has gone and the rains come, something wonderful happens. Through the cracks in its thick bark, the Canary Island Pine grows new branches, as we can see here in the last photo. I wish these wonderful pines could grow in Canada, because all my life I've seen the damage forest fires have done in my home province of British Columbia. It takes many, many years for evergreen forests to re-grow after a fire, but not in the Canary Islands!

I found this letter C (right) in a cloud in Hawaii last month.

(Photos by Kay Davies)




Posted for the meme that's in alphabetical order, week after week:
ABC Wednesday

To see how others see the C, please CLICK
HERE!
at

47 comments:

  1. Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis HallFebruary 1, 2011 at 9:40 AM

    lovely trees.
    enjoyed your C tour.

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  2. HildredFebruary 1, 2011 at 9:57 AM

    I agree Kay, they would be a wonderful addition to the forests of B.C., - very versatile and accommodating - and beautiful besides.

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  3. JoFebruary 1, 2011 at 9:58 AM

    Loved these photos. Is this in Canada or the Canary Islands, Kay (My hubby standing behind me and asking.) THanks for your regular visits to my blog. I seem to have had better internet today here in my own home, and hope this state continues! Blessings and (((hugs))) Jo

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  4. NankaFebruary 1, 2011 at 10:11 AM

    Calming pine trees and Canary Island scenery! Can smell the pine trees here at sea level. Cheering :)

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  5. ???February 1, 2011 at 10:22 AM

    Wonderful trees, they have such a lush green.

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  6. Sylvia KFebruary 1, 2011 at 10:35 AM

    Gorgeous trees, Kay! And your photos are really breathtaking! What a terrific, interesting post for the C Day! Hope your week is off to a great start!

    Sylvia

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  7. EG CameraGirlFebruary 1, 2011 at 10:39 AM

    Fascinating, Kay! I didn't know they would grow new branches after a fire. Cool!

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  8. mrsnesbittFebruary 1, 2011 at 11:10 AM

    Wow! What a wonderful ray of sunshine you have brought - here in UK although the day has been bright, now(6.10pm) it is VERY cold and when I put the hens tea inside their hut I noticed they were huddling together to keep warm - so thanks for this - a wonderful contribution to our ABC Wednesday meme - don't you just love the diversity of all of the posts?
    Thanks so much
    Denise
    ABC Team

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  9. Cezar and LéiaFebruary 1, 2011 at 11:18 AM

    These trees are HUGE!
    I'm enchanted here by so perfect composition in your last picture! Well done my friend!
    Léia

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  10. AndyFebruary 1, 2011 at 12:19 PM

    Your photos are fantastic. Keep on clicking.

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  11. Mr PuddyFebruary 1, 2011 at 12:50 PM

    Wow ! your photos are delightful, kay.
    I can feel fresh air from here with nice warm sun...Wonderful !
    xxx

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  12. LeslieFebruary 1, 2011 at 1:55 PM

    Fascinating. These pines remind me a bit of the slash pines here in Florida.

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  13. MaraFebruary 1, 2011 at 1:57 PM

    Isn't nature brilliant? It always seems to help itself (although sometimes a bit slower than we want).

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  14. Gigi AnnFebruary 1, 2011 at 2:22 PM

    The photo are beautiful, and such a lovely green against the brilliant blue sky. Lovely, lovely, lovely.

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  15. JoyFebruary 1, 2011 at 3:56 PM

    I can't decide which I find most awesome, the pines or the mountains. Beautiful.

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  16. Tumblewords:February 1, 2011 at 4:44 PM

    Fascinating - it's too bad we don't have them here, too! Spectacular photos.

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  17. CarverFebruary 1, 2011 at 5:22 PM

    The canary pines are very beautiful and you took some great shots of them.

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  18. ♥♥ Willa ♥♥February 1, 2011 at 5:26 PM

    Your photos make me Crave more for Springtime! :)

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  19. photowannabeFebruary 1, 2011 at 6:14 PM

    Fascinating trees. The branches growing out of the bark is a new fact for me, and yes I would expect to see palms not pines.

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  20. Roger Owen GreenFebruary 1, 2011 at 6:48 PM

    This is gorgeous.

    On behalf of the ABC Wednesday team, Thank you! ROG

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  21. Sallie (FullTime-Life)February 1, 2011 at 7:20 PM

    What an interesting bit of natural history! I never heard of these trees, but it is too bad they don't grow in the fire-prone Northwest.

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  22. WandaFebruary 1, 2011 at 7:30 PM

    Do the Canary Pines have the same scent at other pine trees.

    Nice array of pictures.

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  23. Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪February 1, 2011 at 9:10 PM

    they are good for Bonsai growers.

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  24. Johnny NutcaseFebruary 1, 2011 at 9:17 PM

    ohhhh, pretty pretty scenery! i love the low clouds! great trees too!

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  25. BarbaraFebruary 1, 2011 at 11:23 PM

    Lovely images, and what amazing trees!

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  26. IngridFebruary 2, 2011 at 1:32 AM

    That's nice that I can see these pictures, my friend and husband are acutally on this island for 2 weeks holidays. I know the Canary Islands very well, we have spent each year there from the 90th til 2002, we had a time sharing appartment and have been on all islands except La Palma, lol !

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  27. KayFebruary 2, 2011 at 2:06 AM

    Oh wow! Those are really gorgeous photos of the pine trees, Kay. I love the Hawaiian C you found, too.

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  28. Christmas-etc...February 2, 2011 at 4:02 AM

    What a great blog you have!! So happy to be following along on your adventures. So interesting about the pines...
    Have a great day!
    Ann
    PS If you know of any churches named in St. Nicholas honor, please let me know! I've just started a new section on "St. Nicholas Churches Around the World" and would love to link up to one of your pictures. Thanks!

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  29. CherylFebruary 2, 2011 at 5:29 AM

    Beautiful scenery. I love how you used the trees to frame that last shot.

    Cheryl
    ABC Team

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  30. FranciscaFebruary 2, 2011 at 7:06 AM

    Colossally Cool, Kay! A Creative and Clever C post... how wonderful about the regenerating pines! The photos are great, and the last composition is awesome!

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  31. Chubskulit RoseFebruary 2, 2011 at 7:35 AM

    marvelous!

    C is for Crystallized Twigs, please come and see.

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  32. Beverley BairdFebruary 2, 2011 at 8:00 AM

    Love your photos! Great post on the trees - actually never heard of them! Would be wonderfulif all tress could protect themselves like that!
    have a wonderful week!

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  33. Kim, USAFebruary 2, 2011 at 9:24 AM

    I agree with Ann I think Canary pine trees are the ones that is good for bonsai. Anyway, it just amaze me how nature could provide and protect themselves. I never thought that a tree could bear it's own tree through the bark!! That is amazing!! Love your shots and the very interesting info.
    ABC Wednesday

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  34. Reader WilFebruary 2, 2011 at 9:38 AM

    Yes I wish we had these trees in my country too in the dunes for instance. Australia could also use such trees!

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  35. UnknownFebruary 2, 2011 at 10:00 AM

    Oh WOW Miss Kay! These Pine trees are very fascinating. This was a good lesson for us this morning. I love that we learned something new on this snow day.

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  36. UnknownFebruary 2, 2011 at 10:13 AM

    It's remarkable what you see in the clouds when you take the time to look :-)

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  37. MonaFebruary 2, 2011 at 10:16 AM

    what a lovely pine trees, hope i can visit this when i have the chance to visit canada. Hope you can visit my C entry, thanks

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  38. FrikoFebruary 2, 2011 at 10:25 AM

    Finally, a place I actually know.

    Can't say I studied the pines though, so thanks for the information.

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  39. jabblogFebruary 2, 2011 at 10:44 AM

    How interesting! It's comforting to know that some things can withstand the destructive power of fire. The bark has an amazing texture.

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  40. Bonnie Kenaz-MaraFebruary 2, 2011 at 11:59 AM

    Absolutely great shots!
    B

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  41. DhemzFebruary 2, 2011 at 2:19 PM

    how gorgeous...breathtaking photos....:)

    Visit my ABC: Carabao...Cousins entry as well. Have followed your blog, hope you can do the same. Thanks!

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  42. Paula Scott Molokai Girl StudioFebruary 2, 2011 at 3:47 PM

    Yes, truly beautiful shots. And, I never knew that about the Canary pines. Love learning new things!

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  43. CildemerFebruary 2, 2011 at 5:15 PM

    I simply love pines!
    They remind me of my childhood when I lived in Portugal by the sea! Our house was in the middle of a forest of pines and I used to clim up the highest ones;o)
    Thanks a lot for sharing;o)

    ***
    Hope you're having a fabulous week****

    Ps: were were still in bed when the storm was at its highest and the trees fell around the house! Thanks for caring;o)

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  44. Leslie:February 2, 2011 at 9:57 PM

    I want to be IN that last photo! How stunning is that! :D

    Leslie
    ABCW Team

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  45. EbieFebruary 2, 2011 at 10:25 PM

    The last shot is a stunner! I love the soft while low clouds in the background, makes the trees stand out.

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  46. Chloe mFebruary 3, 2011 at 6:53 AM

    Such splendor! A beautiful and spectacular view.
    Forest fires have devastated some of our Ponderosas.

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  47. Siddhartha JoshiFebruary 7, 2011 at 7:35 AM

    These pines are beautiful...I find many of these in my hometown as well. The last image reminds me of home so much...

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