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Juliet Wilson's avatar

What a great photo showing all the different types of gum, i hadn't realised they varied in colour so much

Rob Moir's avatar

It is fascinating to see the tree that produces frankincense, the precious tree gum that one of the Wisemen brought to Mary and Joseph on Christmas Day. Harvesting this rare sap can be done sustainably without harming the tree.

Leslie Rasmussen's avatar

Fascinated, looking forward to the next installment. I have learned of other ways that tree 'products' beyond fruits can be harvested. I recently learned about Cork Oak (Quercus suber) the source of cork in the Mediterranean. the 'corky' bark is a crop, harvested about every 7 years from trees at least 30-40 years old. Unfortunately, I have also read that artificial cork is replacing wine corks and many of these mature orchards are being razed to plant olives--a more valued crop. Maple sap is an annual harvest. I had no idea that many of the items in your photos were produced this way from trees.

Maurice Clive Bisby's avatar

Lol ! All my life I have been coming across the saying "Stuck up a Gum Tree"... Never thought to look it up.... Thanks Tom !!