The karri tree grows only in South West Australia and is one of the tallest trees in the world. A hardwood tree growing to 90 meters in height, it sheds its grayish bark each fall leaving a pile of shredded bark at its base, revealing smooth new bark in patches of white, yellow, and orange. The trunk extends straight up and has branches only near the top.
Several of these trees have been put into service as fire towers by building platforms near the top made accessible by ladders attached to the trunk. Several trees have also had these ladders installed to permit access by the public. As there is only one ladder on the trunk, people descending must pass those ascending the tree. Not for me.
These images are from Gloucester National Park, Beedelup National Park, and Warren National Park near Pemberton, West Australia.
