Blood, blood everywhere, the tale of the new chainsaw
Well it was finally time to try out the new, more powerful, bigger chainsaw.A tree in the orchard that was ring barked last year had now died.
It was time to remove it to let in more light for the many young fruit trees.
I got out the new chainsaw.
It is much bigger and more powerful than the saw I was used to, obviously extra care was required.
I needed to fall the tree carefully as there are many young fruit trees established in the area.
The tree would not be wasted, its solidified sunshine would be cut, split and be stacked. After another year drying it will become next years winter fire wood.
I started the saw with ease and was half way through the wedge cut when I noticed the blood, it was everywhere. When the wedge was removed, the liquid gushed out for about 30 seconds, bright red, it had to be blood, but there was just so much of it.
What had I done?The blood thankfully wasn't mine, nor was it some poor animals. It was the trees'!
A pipe (cavity) had formed in the tree near the outer edge of the bark and in it were at least a few liters of blood red, liquid sap.
Picture sowing cross section with 3 cavities (pipes).The tree is an Australian red bloodwood (Corymbia gummifera). I had always assumed that the name was derived from the sap I had seen oozing from injuries. It sets hard similar to a pines sap however it is the colour or blood.
When first cut the sap is very similar in colour and consistency to fresh blood. Over several minutes it becomes the familiar burgundy colour of old blood.
To see the sap gush out with the force and volume of water out of a garden hose is disturbing to say the least.The wood was cut and split and is now stacked in a row continuing to dry.
posted by Ramsey at
12:38 PM
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