In recent times the Red Gums of Gippsland have been re-classified as Eucalyptus tereticornis subsp. mediana, and I quote from VICFLORA…
“In Gippsland, forms attributed to this taxon have isolated occurrences on the Snowy River, with its main distribution west from the Tambo River valley to Sale and Macalister River valley at Licola. It grows on riverbanks, wetlands, and plains and low hills away from streams. Once common in this area but widely cleared and now with remnants in poor health.”
Back roads and lanes are a stronghold for these trees, and after good rainfall, and a lack of defoliating leaf-eating beetles over recent years, the local trees are in excellent condition with fresh green foliage. Click to enlarge.
Along this back road there is an example of inosculation, or natural approach grafting that is a puzzle. Usually the reasons for examples of this occurrence are quite obvious, but that is certainly not the case with this one, first photographed ten years ago.
The previous post on the subject prompted another visit to photograph and ponder. Apparently two trees have grafted together along their trunks, but how on earth has one left the ground with its lignotuber now approximately 1.2 metres above the grass.
Two more images showing the trunks fused before again being separate.
There must of course be an explanation, but for the time being it remains a mystery.