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!
(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
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47 comments:
lovely trees.
enjoyed your C tour.
I agree Kay, they would be a wonderful addition to the forests of B.C., - very versatile and accommodating - and beautiful besides.
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
Calming pine trees and Canary Island scenery! Can smell the pine trees here at sea level. Cheering :)
Wonderful trees, they have such a lush green.
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
Fascinating, Kay! I didn't know they would grow new branches after a fire. Cool!
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
These trees are HUGE!
I'm enchanted here by so perfect composition in your last picture! Well done my friend!
Léia
Your photos are fantastic. Keep on clicking.
Wow ! your photos are delightful, kay.
I can feel fresh air from here with nice warm sun...Wonderful !
xxx
Fascinating. These pines remind me a bit of the slash pines here in Florida.
Isn't nature brilliant? It always seems to help itself (although sometimes a bit slower than we want).
The photo are beautiful, and such a lovely green against the brilliant blue sky. Lovely, lovely, lovely.
I can't decide which I find most awesome, the pines or the mountains. Beautiful.
Fascinating - it's too bad we don't have them here, too! Spectacular photos.
The canary pines are very beautiful and you took some great shots of them.
Your photos make me Crave more for Springtime! :)
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.
This is gorgeous.
On behalf of the ABC Wednesday team, Thank you! ROG
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.
Do the Canary Pines have the same scent at other pine trees.
Nice array of pictures.
they are good for Bonsai growers.
ohhhh, pretty pretty scenery! i love the low clouds! great trees too!
Lovely images, and what amazing trees!
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 !
Oh wow! Those are really gorgeous photos of the pine trees, Kay. I love the Hawaiian C you found, too.
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!
Beautiful scenery. I love how you used the trees to frame that last shot.
Cheryl
ABC Team
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!
marvelous!
C is for Crystallized Twigs, please come and see.
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!
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
Yes I wish we had these trees in my country too in the dunes for instance. Australia could also use such trees!
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.
It's remarkable what you see in the clouds when you take the time to look :-)
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
Finally, a place I actually know.
Can't say I studied the pines though, so thanks for the information.
How interesting! It's comforting to know that some things can withstand the destructive power of fire. The bark has an amazing texture.
Absolutely great shots!
B
how gorgeous...breathtaking photos....:)
Visit my ABC: Carabao...Cousins entry as well. Have followed your blog, hope you can do the same. Thanks!
Yes, truly beautiful shots. And, I never knew that about the Canary pines. Love learning new things!
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)
I want to be IN that last photo! How stunning is that! :D
Leslie
ABCW Team
The last shot is a stunner! I love the soft while low clouds in the background, makes the trees stand out.
Such splendor! A beautiful and spectacular view.
Forest fires have devastated some of our Ponderosas.
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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