Historical Imprints: Redwood Trees along the River Recreate Time's Journey Through 130 Years
The magic of nature and history blend together in two photos separated by a century and a half.
In a phenomenon reminiscent of Australia's long and rich past, a riverside redwood tree - believed to have been used by indigenous people to create canoes - has attracted attention after two photos of it, taken 130 years apart, were published.
The tree, in its old age in 2020, shows a marked change from the image in 1890, when an unidentified person stood next to the large opening - part of the canoe-making process. This technique of cutting trees to make boats has been practiced by indigenous people for thousands of years, and is an important part of their culture and history.
The riverside redwood, also known as Eucalyptus camaldulensis, is a native Australian tree and an integral part of the local ecosystem. Not only is it a source of raw materials for canoe making, this tree is also an important part of the river ecological system, providing shelter for animals and helping to protect river banks.
The tree's existence over many generations not only proves the endurance of nature, but is also a living mark of the cultural history of indigenous people. The 2020 photo not only shows the tree's resilience after decades, but is also a reminder of environmental change and human influence on nature.
When witnessing the two photos, viewers cannot help but ponder the connection between humans and nature, and the question of how we will preserve these precious heritages for future generations.
