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Our enchanted forrest
Old. Like really old!
The site is really bleesed but we didn't really know how much until a tree surgeon climbed all over 'the bonzai' and proclaimed it "very old! Do you know how old it is?" At that stage we'd figured it to be roughly 60 years old but we were not even close!
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'It's probsbly 600 years old" - Doc. Potts
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To be sure, that's an old tree! We didn't really understand why it looked so much like a bonzai tree but on a larger scale. Apparently, mangrove trees live in such a harsh environment that they have but a few hours in a day inwhich to absorb nutrients hence the 'stunted bonzai' look! This tree is weell over 10 metres tall and the extensive root system spreads far and wide protrudinh up some 1 - 2 metres. The tree is rather like a chimney in that it is completely hollow and in fact, dangerous to climb. "The tree rots from the centre out to protect itself from bacteria and disease. It's the only way to survive for so long."
Indonesia has the highest percentage of mangroves of all the countries in the world. Perhaps that has a lot to do with having some 16,500 tropical islands. Unfortunately onsite, we will lose some of our magroves but this is restricted to to the 'newer' section and we are leaving as much of the mangrove on the foreshore as possible as it is a great energy absorber to prevent further erosion.
On another interesting note, so of the felled mangrove trees found their way into our work boat that was refurbished in the traditional manner. Whilst most us think of mangrove trees as rather whispy, the older trees have a beautiful grain and as we know now, make for great planks on traditional boats!
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About a week after discovering the age of our mangrove forrest, we found two fossils in a rock that had been broken open during construction of the southern marina wall. Right about then we knew we were in a very old part of the world.
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Sadly the contractor mistook "put this aside for bury it" and the rock has been lost forever!The other trees around the site will be preserved as much as possible. Those that are felled are being turned into fixtures and furniture for the cottages and the upcoming clubhouse. So all is not lost,
The roots of the mangrove trees, given enough time, cascade into some very original forms.
The oldest of the trees are completely hollow as as a form of protection.
The mangorves are just a few metres from shore. A great place to while away time!
The Grand Old Dame, a spritely few hundred years old. Here she stands at low tide. A massive Bonzai to be sure...
Just think... In a few hundred years these shoots could be huge mangrove trees as well.
In a scene more reminiscent of Sleepy Hollow... The good Doctor takes a look at the massive root system.