I really wanted to capture the Mgondi trees in leaf. In some years they put on a marvelous show, their leaves changing from red, to orange to green, over a few weeks. In Fort Rixon, they grow on the granite (gneiss to be accurate) as opposed to the greenstone belt (gold bearing) that runs through the area. In other languages, I think these trees are called Msasa.
These trees change colour very quickly and I’m afraid, I got there a little too early.
I’m told the gneiss (granite) here is pretty special. When it was a true granite, it had large, long crystals, but when it changed into gneiss, these sort of got squashed. I’m sure there is a correct (geological) way of writing that! It’s pretty good climbing granite – it doesn’t crumble under your hands.
Always loved them and you are quite right, Msasa, I think.
I always thought Msasa trees only grew in Mashonaland! Until I looked these up! Also in the Matopos – Ill post those pics soon!
Just remembered. Brachystegia Spiciformis. How’s that for a memory eh from the old College of Knowledge?
Hi…loved looking through your photos and especially of Msasas…grew up with these trees in various ‘bush’ places where we lived. Rusape area and Eastern Highlands also have them and lower parts of Zambia. I’ve noticed that they seem to be predominantly Rust/Burgundy and Red colours lately when we had Dusty Pink, Dusty Plum, Burgundy, Fresh Lime Green, Mustard, Rust, Red…I paint and would love some photos of Msasas to paint…with old sandy roads, farm gates? Thanks for your blog…awakens memories for me. Frances (Page) (m Geddes) now Richardson. Living near Mossel Bay Western Cape
Thanks for visiting my blog, and your encouraging comments. I have missed the Msasa’s for the last three years – just happen to have been out of the country – and again this year, we will be visiting relatives in St Francis Bay when they are out! I have lots of pics of roads since most of my photos are taken out of the window of the car – driving down the road, we screech on brakes when a view appears. Ill look out for a view like you describe and message you!
Always loved them and you are quite right, Msasa, I think.
Those are pretty neat! 🙂 Thanks for sharing your country with us!
Those are pretty neat! 🙂 Thanks for sharing your country with us!
Thanks – they are beautiful trees in a beautiful country
Lovely pics again and wonderful memories of the beautiful Msasa trees. Our back “garden” was full of them and in December, Flame Lilies! I was so lucky to grow up in such a wonderful country!
Lovely pics again and wonderful memories of the beautiful Msasa trees. Our back “garden” was full of them and in December, Flame Lilies! I was so lucky to grow up in such a wonderful country!
Thanks for the encouragement – they are so beautiful – even when they have no leaves! I love the twisty branches against the blue sky
Granite is ‘transformed’ into gneiss by intense pressure and heat usually generated in a subduction zone (plate boundaries) but can occur in other places. The process is called metamorphism and those mineral crystals were realigned perpendicular to the stress!
Or something along those lines 😉
Granite is ‘transformed’ into gneiss by intense pressure and heat usually generated in a subduction zone (plate boundaries) but can occur in other places. The process is called metamorphism and those mineral crystals were realigned perpendicular to the stress!
Or something along those lines 😉
That’s it! But imagine writing THAT on my blog. Everyone will roll their eyes and go back to geology class!
On a serious note – it is a pretty unique type of gneiss because of the original granite. Rock climbers and abseilers like to climb there because the granite is very strong – it doesn’t peel off in your hands – and of course, these amazing trees grow on it!
Thanks for visiting my blog and posting…see you again I hope
So lovely
So lovely
Nothing like them at the right time of the year – the rest of the year they are pretty boring