Rainbow Bark Trees

Having spent over a year on the island of Kaua'i back in 2010 we searched out a lot of what there was to see then.  One, of course, expects to see ocean and beaches and sea animals, because the Hawaiian islands are all volcanic in origin we expected mountains, and the tropical weather promises a lot of blooming things, but the discovery of Rainbow trees was a marvel!  We mentioned these beauties to someone who has been here for several years, and she hadn't seen or heard of them.  So we are on a mission to share the mystery with her.

We turned up into the Wailua Valley, drove past the "Fantasy Island" waterfall, and kept on going through island neighborhoods, and going, and going, and going.  The farther we went the more windy the road.  Debris began to litter the ever narrowing road.  Tammy thought we might have a touch of crazy in us.  (Well, she might not be far off base there...  The road became so wind-e that she and I began to be a bit carsick.  Could have been because we were cranking our heads around and around trying to see the beautiful foliage!)

Finally we came to the low-water crossing John and I had been anticipating, and the end of the pavement.  HERE was a perfectly manicured park and an oasis in a mountainside of growth.  They suggest you take a deep breath and, because this place feels like a giant oxygen factory, you will almost get a buzz from the purity of the air!!

We carefully drive across the running water and park on the far side of the river.  We've tried driving farther up the unpaved portion of the road before, but you'd need a monster truck with about three feet of clearance to accomplish most of it.  The rent car companies here make you sign disclaimers specifically saying that you will NOT attempt to drive certain areas of the island.  (Smart folks!)  So we limit ourselves to this particular portion - besides, it's the prettiest!

You might get a clue that this unique tree is of the eucalyptus family from the look of its base.  A better idea might be had from the leaves - but they are SO FAR UP!!  These guys grow to enormous heights!

Actually, they are Rainbow Eucalyptus trees, native only in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea or the Philippines.  They are also known as Mindanao gum trees.   I have no clue how they got to the island of Kaua'i, but they've been here a long, long time.

"The unusual phenomenon is caused by patches of bark shedding at different times. The different colors are therefore indicators of the age of the bark: Freshly shed outer bark will reveal the bright green inner bark. This darkens over time and changes from blue to purple and then reaches orange and maroon tones."

Read more at http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/forests/news-most-colourful-tree-earth?image=1#GpMmDc3xGXXgbOfk.99

 Isn't that just absolutely gorgeous!!

You know, coconut trees aren't native to Hawai'i either.  Some guy back in Captain Cook's day thought he'd make his fortune in coconuts, bought a plantation here, brought and planted his coconuts, and waited for the big payday.  Unfortunately for him, coconut trees don't mature for twenty years - so he went broke.  (My kinda luck for sure!)  The back story on these Rainbow trees? No clue.



Can you believe that this tree is so common in the Philippines that it's used for pulp wood!  They cut down one of the prettiest trees God ever made to make paper!

And, of course, one of God's cutest creations, the koala bear, makes it's home in the Eucalyptus tree, only coming down long enough to make its way to another Eucalyptus - and hoping to find another koala just waiting to be asked out on a date!  

These trees can grow between five to eight feet a year and can get as tall as 220 feet!  The trunk can get as thick as six to eight feet around!  Why, that's almost as big around as I am!!