The concrete iron tree does not exist, so call several different types of trees whose wood differs in the high hardness and big weight. Such trees grow in various places and on various continents, they can treat various childbirth, there are evergreen and deciduous iron trees, there are also shrubby forms.
Characteristics of an iron tree
All species of iron trees have similar lines on the basis of which they are allocated in separate group. First of all, it is very high density and weight of wood – a log and branches of such trees easily sink in water. This wood on the characteristics can replace some metals, besides, it has certain advantages before metal materials – the iron tree does not rust, and unlike other wood, does not decay and is not surprised wreckers. As a result of it often use in construction, shipbuilding and other production.
At iron trees annual growth rings thanks to high density are not visible. Bark at them too very heavy and strong. Some species of trees are capable to blunt the axe, and bullets do not do to bark any harm, jumping aside from it.
Almost all iron trees differ in big height, quickly growing to 25 meters. Though there are also iron bushes – for example, the box which reaches on average 10 meters in height, and often grows to only 2-3 meters. All representatives of this group of trees have the long term of life - at least two hundred years under natural conditions. But the majority of copies perish before the term as iron trees are quickly exterminated because of their active use by the person.
Biologists foretell that iron trees can disappear from the face of the earth soon.
Species of iron trees
One of the brightest representatives of iron trees is a parrotiya Persian, a listopadny tree with a short direct trunk and very wide branched krone. Parrotiya lives in forests of Azerbaijan and Iran, grows on coast of the Caspian Sea. It needs subtropical warm climate with quite high humidity, but it can perfectly maintain hard frosts therefore it is actively grown up in Europe. Make frames, joiner's products, floorboards of a parrotiya – all products from this tree are several times more expensive, than from usual wood. On the island Ceylon iron – a high tree with a wide trunk and beautiful long leaves grows mezuya. Its wood is not less valuable, than at a parrotiya, but pitch contains toxic agents which apply to production of local national drugs. Pokhutukava – one more well-known iron tree which difficult name is translated as "the New Zealand Christmas tree". This evergreen tree which grows in New Zealand and blossoms approximately during Christmas in red large colors. Ancient people used strong wood of a hmelegrab – a tree of family birch – for production of soles for footwear. Its official name - edges - is translated from Greek as "similar to a bone". Thanks to high resistance to rotting many products from this wood remain since ancient times up to now.