That’s macaranga leaves; stuffed in a van full of them. It’s a favourite with the sheep. It can be really addictive watching the jaw of the sheep sway from side to side as they munch on them.
It’s one of the most misunderstood pioneer trees. You see them everywhere, by the roadside, abandoned spaces, degraded land, etc. You can never miss its distinctive broad heart-like round shape looks. I say “misunderstood” because it is often viewed as a useless good-for-nothing invasive “weed” that is deemed serving no functional purpose. But therein lies the catch!
That’s why it’s called a pioneering species. Its very short-lived existence paves the way for the establishment of ecological services for other flora/fauna species to thrive. It’s a tree whose very being symbolises value, time, place and sacrifice. The “pioneering” properties of this species of trees is characterised by the broad leaves and its soft wood.
The broad leaves serve to shield the ground beneath it from the sun, thus cooling it down. Such cooling effect allows for a host of animals and other living organisms to congregate under it, the death of which feeds the soil and earthworms, thereby fertilising the ground. The wood of this tree is soft so that when it is fell, it decomposes quickly to feed the soil. Basically, it’s a keystone species to lay the favourable ground conditions for life to flourish, paving the way for a forest to take over if undisturbed for a reasonably long period of time.
When my 4.5 year old son asks me “Is that macaranga?” during drives, it simply makes me smile. I hope such an upbringing and exposure to the outdoors and natural world helps him see things in a different light. It teaches him respect and understanding for why and how nature does the things she does. More importantly, it teaches patience and critical thinking skills in inculcating the fact that everything around us is interconnected. The concept of interdependence and independence can be very much taught just by referring to borrowings from nature.
One of the intangible benefits of running a food production space is the abundance in opportunities to conduct experiential playing and learning via practical farm work (weed identification, collection and feeding to livestock) for children. The time spent with children and the ability to connect with them at a whole new dimension and depth that is predicated on nature is simply priceless.
Every child is a pioneer in their own right. Here’s to celebrating the adventurous and brave outlook of venturing into the unknown.
