Hi Gill,

The one on the left looks like Corymbia ficifolia (Red flowering gum). The one on the right looks like an Allocasuarina, or a Casuarina sp. The exact species I'm not sure of.

Hello again Jim, thanks once again for your response. So the left hand one is a type of Eucalypt then. Will have to take more notice/pic of the tree next time eh?
Come to mention it, after looking up Casuarina/Allocasuarina and reading that one sp. is called 'Whistling Oak', I recall hearing a distinctive swishing sound around the trees. Just found and trawled through my holiday note book, and in it was a jotting that said my Aunt had ID'd the cones as coming from what she called a 'Desert Oak'....Allocasuarina Decaisneana, what a name! This is a pic taken for the name of the Hotel we stayed in, not for the trees in the shot, but I now realise that the cones were gathered from near these trees in Yulara. How I wish we were back there now!! Many thanks for your help, hope to make our 3rd visit to Oz real soon as we really like the place.
Gill.
{{gwi:2116483}}

It is Corymbia ficifolia not Eucalyptus ficifolia. All the Corymbia species were originally classified under the Eucalyptus genus but were seperated into the closely related Corymbia genus not all that long ago.

Greg, thanks for that, my misunderstanding. I just saw the word 'GUM' and assumed Eucalyptus!
Gill.

I know what you mean Gill, to the layperson plant taxonomy is difficult at the best of times! As an interesting aside, there are three gum tree genera - Eucalyptus, Corymbia and Angophora - all referred to as gums of one type or another, so it's no wonder people find it confusing.

If you're looking to propagate the trees we've been talking about, they're dead easy. Although, with the age of the fruits in the photo I'd hazard a guess that they've released their seed already.

With Allocasuarinas, the noise the wind makes as it moves through the leaves is usually the dividing line when it comes to people liking them or not! Some love the sound (I do!), but others loath it!

I have to add my tuppence-worth to say that as far as I'm concerned the soughing of the wind in the she-oaks is one of the most beautiful of outdoor sounds.
That English author D.H.Lawrence, who came to Australia, didn't like it much, and wrote very well about his dislike, described the sound in Australian trees as being like "the hissing of sibilant ghosts". I don't think he noted which trees, exactly. He just wasn't going to like any of 'em.
She-oaks make more of a song than a hiss, but if you are determined not to like a thing...
I listened very carefully to the wind in trees when I was in England and decided that there was no comparatively obvious benevolence in the sound. Presumably it's in the ear of the observer, so to speak.
Keep an eye out for she-oaks on your next visit. There are all sorts of species, suiting all sorts of environments. They are worth a close look, as the "needles" are really branchlets which have learned to do photosynthesis. They break apart at little joints, and when you do this you can see the leaves, which evolution has reduced to tiny teeth. Counting the teeth helps you know what species you have - but they are so small that you can go crazy trying to do it!
Cheers, Trish

Jim/Trish, thank you for the responses.
I have several of the 'cones' above and have not found any seeds in them, (unfortunately). I would like to have done so as I enjoy *trying* to grow many unusual plants, especially ones from our holidays. It all goes to remind me of how fortunate we have been to visit several far away places. I will take a closer look and try and get some next year on our return to Australia....hopefuly in 2009 *crosses fingers tightly*
The sound of the wind in those trees was so unique, and one that will stay with me for some time. I live in a very rural area with tres all around, and wind, plenty of it, but it doesn't sound like your Oz trees did.
Thanks again for your information.
Regards, Gill.

I have to admit I am a sheoak whistling fan, too. Many years ago, I collected seed from an Allocasuarina torulosa, that is growing in the bush, at my place. I propagated many of them and stuck the seedlings in a bare, barren, bank with virtually no topsoil. (I was building a house at the time and the soil was greatly disturbed) I had no money to buy plants so I propagated them all. These seedlings thrived, I never watered them, it was through the drought, as well.

The trees have grown up, they are about 10 m tall. I have about 15 of them grouped together, and I just LOVE the trunks all standing up tall together. It is a lovely effect.

Another lovely effect is that the "leaves" drop and leave a soft carpet of needles on the ground, and nothing else will grow in that.

I love to go and stand amongst my mini-forest and hug the trunks of these beautiful trees and listen to the gently whistling sound.

Sadly I am going to sell and move soon, so I will shed a tear when I make my last trip past my sheoak forest.

Yes, popi, isn't it sad to leave trees that have grown with you? I love the A. torulosa, too. Their furrowed, corky trunks are so beautiful.
Still, it must feel good to know that you're leaving a legacy in the form of beautiful trees for someone else to enjoy.
Well done!
Trish