If you ask nicely, some plants can give you directions

[SouthernCross]

G'day Everyone.

In the southern Hemisphere, it's the North & Western facing sides of our landscapes and trees that receive the worst of the summer sun. As a result those plants that prefer a more sheltered position are more abundantly found on the South and Eastern facing sides of both trees and landscapes.

To help illustrate this, I've taken some pics of a Tree just around the corner from work, that shows a typical local example of moss growth on trees.


Here, mosses are less prominent on the North / Western sides of trees ...
On the Northern face, moss growth is limited to inside small fissures in the bark.....

The Western face has the moss restricted to the inside of fissures within the bark....

And more prominent on the South / Eastern sides of trees.
On the Southern face, moss is present outside of the fissures. More visible.

The Eastern Face also has moss present outside of fissures.

Bear in mind that moss will be more common in those areas that are sheltered from the worst of the sun & heat, so local factors play a part. For example a nearby tree may be providing shade to a particular side of another tree and this additional shelter from the sun will encourage moss growth on that side of the shaded tree. I would suggest initially make a study of the immediate area, looking for indications that "extra shade" isn't effecting the moss growth. Use your compas to verify your estimates.


Another local indicator is the Snow Gum (a local Eucalypt species). It's mainly found on the south facing sides of the landscape.

IMO, keeping track of your local vegetation types provides both a catalogue of resources and usefull information on direction. Both are worthwhile bits of information to have whilst travelling through the bush :thumbup:

I'm interested in hearing if anyone else makes use of plant directions in their area?

And if so, what are they?



Kind regards
Mick

 

[dipbait]

I got turned around in the woods once. Not lost. I knew where I was ,just didnt know the the location of the car ,which I knew was east. Walking the wrong direction would just lead me to a road and a one hour detour. I studied the moss on several trees, took an educated guess as to which way was east and walked directly to my car.

 

[KiljoyKutlery]

SC, in the second picture down..is that sap? What type of tree is that. Also..what are some uses of the Gum tree. Is the wood strong? Gene

 

[Watchful]

SouthernCross:

Nice photographs! They strike a chord with me because I'm a big opponent of the all-too-common claim "moss only grows on the North sides of trees." You found moss growing on all four sides of a tree, and were able to explain why in relation to local shade and sunlight. Absolutely correct!!!

You also raise a critical observation that too many Northern hemispherites fail to realize: that the Sun is higher in your Northern skies, and as a result, many of the tried-and-true rules must be reversed for when we come visit you (and vice versa!). Shade is more likely to exist on the Southern side of trees below the equator... shade is more likely to exist on the Northern side of trees above the equator.

As a general rule, secondary growth (the bushy weeds and tangles) tend to be fuller on the sunnier sides. For me, that's toward the South, and for you the North. As you point out, many factors influence that, so you need to step back and take a big perspective view of your area.

Even easier than plants is snow, if you have it: snow tends to melt and/or sublimate faster on the sunnier side than on the shadier side. If you come across some hills, and see the snow pulling back and exposing grass more on one side than another across all the hills, you've got a good idea which is the sunnier side even at night.

Some of my rules:

1. Plants are rarely reliable indicators of direction by themselves.

2. Using plants coupled with other navigational methods, however, is often a reliable tie-breaker.

3. Never look at a single plant or tree and conclude your directions from that one sample. Look at a few in the immediate area.

4. Always repeat step three as often as you can!

Plants are navigational data, not navigational information. It's like a small piece of evidence that doesn't necessarily mean anything... until you collect enough of it, and then it becomes very informative! Dipbait's post illustrates this perfectly!

Excellent post, SouthernCross!

 

[SouthernCross]

G'day Gene

SC, in the second picture down..is that sap? What type of tree is that.

Yes it is sap. I'm not sure what type of tree (although because it's decidous it will most likely be an introduced species).

Also..what are some uses of the Gum tree. Is the wood strong? Gene

There are many species of Eucalypts that go under the common name of Gums. Whilst they provide little direct food themselves, they do attract a variety of animals (including nectar feeding birds and mammals, parrots and small marsupials also nest in the tree hollows).

When attacked by insect pests, the Eucalypts produce a tannin rich exudate (especially the Bloodwoods) which makes a useful bush remedy for cuts and burns. The crystalized exudate is crushed with a little water to make a paste, which is then applied to the affected area.

As all the Eucalypts are harwoods, their timber is strong and used for making a variety of things (and not just firewood ). They make excellent digging sticks, spears, woomeras, chopping boards and coolamans (local name for dish), and other camp kitchen utensils etc etc.

Hope this helps.



Kind regards
Mick