The Strangler

[Mad Aussie]

Strangler Figs are a parasitic tree that wraps itself around a host tree and feeds off that until it dies many years into the future. Finally the host tree decays away and leaves the Strangler Fig standing alone ... hollow inside.

These shots show the Strangler from both outside and inside.

[Mad Aussie]

No comments? Maybe everyone has these trees in their area?

[JAS_Photo]

I think they just got pushed down very quickly. Does the tree stand when it is hollow or fall over? does it die after losing it's host? Once again these have a cool but creepy look to them?

[Mad Aussie]

The strangler continues to stand and live after the host has died.

[AntZ]

Nice shots. The stranglers are amazing.
I got a similar shot at Mt Glorious a couple of months ago. Looking at it now, I should have shot for the HDR.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mtb_antz/3205032147/

[kat]

Never heard of this! Is it a problem tree? Like our pine beetles killing trees here?

Like the last one!

[casil403]

Kinda like the boa constrictor of the plant world methinks...love the shot from inside Aussie.
We have vines similar to that on the coast...Vancouver Island . The same kind you see growing on old houses.They grow up the tree and slowly kill it over a long period of time.

They look pretty cool but I guess people are starting to rip them down as they are so invasive & devastating on Garry oak trees which are endangered.

[Mad Aussie]

Thanks all.

The trees are not a problem here, it's a part of the rainforest and quite common but not overly invasive.

Great shot AntZ.