Fagus Fever!

Nothofagus gunnii  or Fagus at Mount Field

There's only one truly deciduous tree in Tasmania, its common name is boring, Deciduous Beech.  Its Latin or scientific name is way more interesting: Nothofagus gunnii and in true Aussie style it has been lovingly shortened or nicknamed simply "Fagus".   This tree is not large by local standards, where several species of gum can tower over 90m nearby.  In fact its rare to see a Fagus over five meters.  But what makes it so special is of course the beautiful colours that the foliage produce in autumn, just before they fall off in the wild wind storms.  Oh yeah, and it only grows up on the mountains of Tasmania, so you can't just gaze at it out your window.  You need to get out into some wild and wonderful places to see it.  It's an annual pilgrimage of sorts!

Nothofagus gunnii by Heidi Krajewsky