h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Dear Ivan,

I am sorry that I have not expressed my concern before at the the devastating fires that are raging in your area of the world. I have not been well.

My deep concern is with your embattled and blazing part of the world. I do hope that by this time they will have hopefully been extinguished and that you will again be able to live in safety.

With much concern

Christiane
AlsoRan80

Thank you Christiane.

Bushfires are a part of living in this beautiful brutal country, we're used to them in some ways, but the fires that were burning at the weekend were unlike any we've seen before. They were so fast and so savage.

It means a lot to us all that the rest of the world cares about what's happening.

I'm lucky this time. The fires are about 400km away. But I can't help wondering when we'll have trouble here again.

Dear Ivan,

Sorry your reply got lost. I suppose that perhaps one does get used to them - but they are none the less terryfying and very destructive. I know that in Southern Rhodesia - now Zimbabwe, - veld used to get burnt so that the new grass could come just in time for the summer rain. but what on earth does one do when the the only indigenous trees are so full of euchalyptus oil.? It is like growing massive trees with torches in them just waiting to be caught alight.

If I was young and a botanist, I would really do a projet into the indigenous trees in Australia. to the best of my knowledge they are all various types of eucalyptus. Some dwarf ones apparently grow in the mountain range near Canberra. Others grow on the plains- others grow in sandy soil. But all have this highly inflammable oil in the leaves. Surely that must have something to do with it.

I would love it if you could direct me to any research that might have been done on this subject.

Sincerely,

Christiane
AlsoRan80

I wouldn't know where to start with research on eucalypts, but I think this site might help. http://www.anbg.gov.au/anbg/ It's the website of the Australian National Botanic Gardens, one of my favourite places. The heading 'Information about Australian Plants' leads to a wealth of general information and maybe some clues on further reading.

If I do find anything specific I'll let you know.

The thing about most native plants is that they can burn like torches but still re-shoot once the fire's gone. (Sadly, houses can't rebuild themselves like that.) Some plants actually need to be burnt before their seed becomes viable.

Dear Ivan,

Thank you for your reply.

I have looked up that web site. I shall ask my daughter who lives in Perth to see if she can get me anything on the Indigenous plants of Australia.

Thank you all the same.

Go well

Christiane
AlsoRan80