The Perfect Tree for Orchids

[epiphyte]

I first noticed this Camphor Tree several years ago when I visited the Santa Barbara Orchid Estate. Maybe somebody else has also noticed it? It's in between the freeway and the SBOE. I finally got around to taking pictures of it this last weekend when my gf and I drove up for the Orchid Fair. My plan was to add the pics of this tree to my Cedar Tree thread but decided this tree was worthy of its own thread. If it's not immediately apparent why I consider this the perfect tree for mounting orchids on then you can read the Cedar Tree thread to learn what the various components are.

The pics are large because it's no fun having to squint at small pics. Feel free to save them to your desktop and make them your desktop wallpaper. Then you can drag and drop your desktop icons onto the branches and pretend they are orchids. My 5' 2" gf is reluctantly in the first pic so you can get a rough idea of the size of tree and how low some of the branches are. If you should happen to find a tree more suitable for orchids please post pictures of the tree in this thread.

[solay]

Look at all those nooks and crannys. Almost like an English muffin. Yumm!!! I can imagine the roots clinging onto that surface. I like the texture of that tree and the airy branches. Thanks for showing it.

[patticake]

As Crocodile Dundee would say, "Now THAT'S a tree!" It kind of reminds me of the Live Oaks we have down south (Carolinas, etc.) I would love to see that filled with orchids.

[davetheorchidaddict]

I will check out how good the wood is for mounting when I cut the one in my yard down. They are a fast growing tree, up to 3 feet a year, after I planted the one in back I measured it weekly because it grew so fast. They are a very nice shade tree but nothing will grow under them, notice in the picture there is nothing growing, that is the same way my yard looks. I had two other ones in my front yard but cut them down before they got too tall. They are cool to sit under, that is cool temperature wise.

[kmarch]

Not only might it be good for mounting something, it old be a fantastic place to hang indoor orchids outside.

[digitalgate]

no, no non no . That is good for a...

Tree house... yah..

[davetheorchidaddict]

I have tried hanging orchids from mine, had problems with them. They have a dense shade and have a full canopy year around. Maybe something that grows in very dense shade.

[davetheorchidaddict]

could someone please tell me how to put pictures in? When I tried insert it wanted my URL where the images are, I do not have a URL.

[epiphyte]

Hi Dave, there are two methods for displaying pictures...

Method One...
scroll down till you see... "Manage Attachments"...click that and it should be self explanatory.

Method Two...
upload your photo to a photo sharing website such as http://photobucket.com
Once you upload your photo to that site the URL will be displayed beneath the photo.

Umm, hopefully you didn't try mounting your favorite orchid that you only have one of on any camphor tree branches. I forgot to mention to only use "disposable" orchids when experimenting with different wood. All bark has some types of organic compounds and I really have no idea which compounds are unsuitable for which orchids.

[davetheorchidaddict]

Thank you, I will be trying it later this evening