The weather in Ushuaia is directly influenced by its proximity to Antarctica and by the towering Andes that surround the region. It is a Magellanic subpolar climate. Winds are always present, but especially intense during the winter season. Trees in Ushuaia tend to follow the wind direction in an uni-directional growth pattern creating a twisted appearance. These trees are referred to as Flag Trees because they are permanently shaped like flags blowing in the wind. The particular trees in these photos are Southern Beech Trees.
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Beech Trees have shallow root systems and intense winds in bowl-shaped areas can wipe out entire forests.
Some of these areas remain devoid of trees because of the steady and intense wind.
This is a harsh, yet fragile environment. The strength of these polar winds creates a unique landscape in Ushuaia of savage and intense beauty.
Cindy, these are so interesting! Your photos almost look like paintings. Gorgeous 🙂
The scenery deserves the credit of course, but thank you!
wow… so very interesting! Was it windy while you were standing there?
It would vary. When the winds swooped in the temperature would fall. The trees are fascinating testament to the power of invisible winds!!!
Land of the giant bonsai. Pretty amazing. What was the temperature? Ken
What a wonderful analogy. It varied during the day from 50-54F. Cold when the wind blew. Warm when the sun shone, all of which changed hourly. Thanks for visiting!
You have gone where very few people have been. Thank you so much for sharing. What amazing landscapes…
Yes and not even into Antarctica. This trip made me want to go back to Antarctica. We live on such a fascinating planet!
wow and the trees just adapted to it huh? resilient!
Resilient. Yes exactly. It was amazing. Thanks for the understanding…..
Cindy,
How could we ever imagine such a climate? We think it is summer down there yet it is so harsh in some aspects and yet kind to the lupines. What an experience you must have had!
I think I am going to borrow (steal) one of your tree pictures for a little story. Is that OK?
Wally
I would be majorly honored and can’t wait to read it. And yes, isn’t it strange that in such a harsh environment there are abundant fragile flowers. Lovely isn’t it?
Nature has many surprises in store for us.
The will to live makes for strange iterations. Thank you for sharing these amazing trees and highlighting their will to survive in such a stark environment.
Beautifully expressed. The trees move towards the sun naturally, but the wind is so powerful, it bends, but doesn’t break them. Something about this really captured me.
“savage and intense beauty.” You paint a picture of primal and raw beauty with those words, Cindy. The pictures are really wonderful.
Paul
I wish I could paint it like you Paul.
Amazing trees!!! Great shots!!!
Yes these trees are a testament to the will to survive. I loved them & thank you!
It’s amazing that despite the wind, the trees have persevered and held on.
Isn’t it though! Remarkable.
Stunning pictures, that is one worthwhile journey to make. Awesome!
Hope you make it someday soon & thank you.
All I can say is WOW.
That says it all!
Those trees are amazing!
They are!
WOW the wind REALLY got that tree!!! WOW
Yes & lots more!
I nominated you for the Shine On Award here: http://mycookinglife.com/2013/02/06/my-mama-didnt-raise-no-fool/
How kind of you. I appreciate the appreciation greatly.
Unique and intense beauty sums these awesome trees up perfectly! What an amazing environment!
Yes it was! Thank you!!
While the first photos is stunning Cindy, I am not a creature who deals well with cold. However, the trees are STUNNING!!!
There were and they were all over! Merci Lea!
Love those trees! They send the imagination soaring!
Yes! They almost function like a Rorschach. People read them differently. Some see them as menacing, others beautiful, some as an example of resilience. How wonderful that trees can elicit all this, while at the same time prospering in gale force opposition!
Love you last poem Lea.
Absolutely amazing the way nature can adapt to its environment. How windy was it when you were there?
Certainly not as windy as in winter. One day we had to cancel a boat trip due to intense wind. I don’t know the mph that day. It was our first day there, and that was the most intense wind. Other days it was up to 45mph. Just imagine winter!!
You picked the best time to be there
Yes I think it would be the wind in winter rather than the temperature that would be harsh.