Eucalyptus trees are plentiful all over Crete. They are very hardy trees that offer a lot of shade because they grow very tall. As you pass through a eucalyptus forest, its aroma wafts in the air, especially after a light rain on its leaves, as it dries up in the sun. Its wood does not burn so easily, making it a perfect species for planting in a forest. In Greece, the eucalyptus is regarded as a blessed tree because it is αιωνόβιο (e-o-NO-vi-o) - it never dies.
Among the eucalyptus species growing in Greece, the smooth-bark variety is very common in Crete. It has an interesting characteristic: it grows a new layer of bark every year, and the upper layer of the old one can be seen peeling off, creating a very pretty spectacle. The bark of the Greek eucalyptus takes on camouflage colours, like a military uniform.
Uses of the eucalyptus nowadays includes taking a bunch of leaves in winter and soaking them in a pot of water, which is then placed over a wood-fired oven (or a radiator connected to central heating). This allows its aroma to exude, creating some humidity in the air at the same time as clearing your nose and throat. This is especially important when a house is heated with fossil fuel through central heating, as it dries up the air.
The eucalyptus bark is another reminder that autumn is on its way now and the wood fire will be burning in our house soon.
As it is the first of the month, I can wish you Καλό μήνα (ka-LO MI-na) - have a happy month. Greeks have a 'best-wishes' phrase for nearly every aspect of their life. Since most people have taken their summer holidays by this time and are now getting into the post-summer routine, another wish is also in order: Καλό χειμώνα (kaLO hiMOna) - have a good winter, although it is a little early for that in Greece...
Another unusual species of eucalyptus peeling bark cna be seen in the rainbow eucalyptus of Hawaii.
©All Rights Reserved/Organically cooked. No part of this blog may be reproduced and/or copied by any means without prior consent from Maria Verivaki.
Among the eucalyptus species growing in Greece, the smooth-bark variety is very common in Crete. It has an interesting characteristic: it grows a new layer of bark every year, and the upper layer of the old one can be seen peeling off, creating a very pretty spectacle. The bark of the Greek eucalyptus takes on camouflage colours, like a military uniform.
Uses of the eucalyptus nowadays includes taking a bunch of leaves in winter and soaking them in a pot of water, which is then placed over a wood-fired oven (or a radiator connected to central heating). This allows its aroma to exude, creating some humidity in the air at the same time as clearing your nose and throat. This is especially important when a house is heated with fossil fuel through central heating, as it dries up the air.
Eucalyptus bark - August 2012
Eucalyptus forest, Ayia village, on the way to Omalos
The eucalyptus bark is another reminder that autumn is on its way now and the wood fire will be burning in our house soon.
As it is the first of the month, I can wish you Καλό μήνα (ka-LO MI-na) - have a happy month. Greeks have a 'best-wishes' phrase for nearly every aspect of their life. Since most people have taken their summer holidays by this time and are now getting into the post-summer routine, another wish is also in order: Καλό χειμώνα (kaLO hiMOna) - have a good winter, although it is a little early for that in Greece...
Another unusual species of eucalyptus peeling bark cna be seen in the rainbow eucalyptus of Hawaii.
©All Rights Reserved/Organically cooked. No part of this blog may be reproduced and/or copied by any means without prior consent from Maria Verivaki.
Do you know when eucalyptus spp. were brought to greece from australia?
ReplyDeleteGREEK WIKIPEDIA:
DeleteIn Greece we find Eucalyptus globulus that reaches 80 meters. Eucalyptus was introduced in Greece by the botanist and scholar Theodore Orphanides 1862... Grown mainly in southern Greece and Macedonia , located in forests and gardens.
Some plant it in the garden of their home because apart from shade and coolness it provides the ability to remove mosquitoes. (come to think of it, the eucalyptus forest i photogrpahed is right next to one of the two lakes in Crete - Agia Lake)
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI am going to study at MAICh from October 2012 and it was really interesting to read posts about this institute, food which are being served there etc.
Are you still working there?
Tetiana from Ukraine
hello tetiana, yes, i am still there - see you next month
DeleteThanks Maria!
DeleteI wonder, it said that classes start on 1st of October does it mean like classes classes or there will be something like orientation week/couple of days)?
I am worried that I might be late for the studying due to visa application (my official invitation has not been done yet, and I got the answer "this week, end of the week" second time). I came up with the idea to order the currier pick-up when the invitation is ready, but it still will take sometime to delivery it to me, apply for visa, and get visa.
Also, as I understood you are an English teacher at MAICh. Does it mean that students will be able to have English classes or consultations, if needed? I saw info on the site about Greek courses, but I did not know about English.
My program is in Business Economics and Management.
Would you mind if I ask you more questions about the studying and living at MAICh? My email is: fannek at ukr dot net
i cannot answer queries about the applications to MAICH - you need to reach the secretaries about this in the administration!
ReplyDeletegood luck - when you arrive, you will find out about the classes (i dont think there is any orientation week - we start classes 1 october 2012)
please contact me on mvericaki@hotmail.com for further info
G'day Maria, I was interested to read that you said the eucalypts 'dosn't burn so easily'. The terrible bush fires that we get in Australia are because the 'gum trees' go up so quickly - they are full of volatile oils and you would not, for that reason, plant them around your house. The annual stripping bark is also an adaptation to fire - the tree is trying to shed as much of it's 'dead' or dry material before next years' fire season.
ReplyDeletePS I got some fab fresh squid and made the squid, as per your very good instructions, it was great. Thank youj. Di
yes, the eucalyptus burns more easily than some other species, but in greece, we have mainly pine tree forests and olive trees surrounding them - they just go up in smoke in a fire
Deleteour houses are also not made of wood so we dont worry abut planting them near our hosues, but eucalyptus is a very large tree so it isnt possibel to have it close to a house - our house and garden sizes are much smaller than what is commonly found in AUS/NZ