Magellan's beech (Nothofagus betuloides), Tierra del Fuego, Ushuaia, Argentina
The Magellans's beech is the dominant tree in the forests of the Tierra del Fuego around Ushuaya, the town where most tourists usually start their expedition cruises to Antarctica. The tree grows from southern Chile and southern Argentina (40°S) to Tierra del Fuego (56°S), specimens from the southern forests resist temperatures down to -20°C (-4°F). It is found from sea level to 500 meters (1600 ft). It is an evergreen tree, up to 25 meters (82 feet), columnar appearance, in its natural environment it tolerates cold winters and absence of heat in summer.
Year: 2014
From album: Antarctica Tourism
Photographer: Peter Prokosch