03 November 2009

The Dun Tree


The trees in the wet, low lands of Sri Lanka usually are very tall. Some trees grow even up to the heights of 30 – 40m. Hora, Bu-Hora, Thiniya Dun, Dun and Nawada are some of the tallest species.

The above Dun tree which is easily about 140 feet tall is popular as the tallest tree in the wet zone of Sri Lanka. You may find taller trees in Sinharaja Forest Reserve and some other places, but this tree should be one of the tallest in Sri Lanka. Its significance is amplified, since it is situated by the side of a main road.

If you ever travel along Agalawaththa - Kalawana road, you will see this tree in the village of Athwelthota, between Akasa Bokkuwa and the boundary of Western and Sabaragamuwa Provinces.

12 comments:

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi K, That is one tall TREE.... Goodness... It must be pretty sturdy at the bottom or else it would be top-heavy and then topple-over... So interesting!!!! Thanks for sharing.
Betsy

Jane said...

An amazing tree, fascinating too!

rainfield61 said...

It is tall and straight, if it is hard enough, it should be good enough to be material for making furniture.

Janith said...

Wow K! That tree is just majestic! :)

George said...

Very interesting. That tree is definitely tall! It's amazing that the tree has survived being so close to a road.

Al said...

Hello there, glad to hear that the people were able to preserve all these trees. I guess those also grows here but with different name, since we're both in the same continent. Thanks for sharing and thanks for visiting my blog.

Kirigalpoththa said...

Betsy,
Yes the trunk is quite strong and it is at least 6m in circumference. A real giant in the tree world!

Jane,
Thanks for your comments!

Rainfield,
It is not the best for timber, may be that is why it is survived!

Chavie,
Yes a majestic giant!

George,
Yes, the road was widened sometime back and it seems they have kept the tree without removing it.

AL,
You are welcome! Some of these trees are endemic to Sri Lanka, but definitely you should find ceratin species in Philippines too. Most of these giants are belong to genus Dipterocarpus and Shorea as per biological classification.

Thanks all for your comments!!

poefusion said...

Hello Kirigalpoththa~ The Dun Tree is magnificent. I'd imagine it reigns superior over other trees. Beautiful. Have a great day.

Anonymous said...

What a tall tree, and wonderful information!

Kirigalpoththa said...

Michelle,
Yes, it is the king of all the trees in that territory :) Have a great day!

Icy BC,
Thanks for your comments!!

Amila Salgado said...

I always stop near it when I pass that way to enjoy its majesty. It is such a towering giant.

Kirigalpoththa said...

Gallicissa,
Yes it is a real towering giant! Thanks for your comments :)