What the heck happened to make this tree “turn” out this way? (Thanks to Rick Russack in New Hampshire for the photo.)
Answer
Here’s a forester’s explanation of the deformed tree: “Typically a tree that has crazy turns like that was damaged when it was smaller…most likely from another, larger tree falling on it. The top snaps but stays attached to the trunk. If the tree lives, it will right itself by growing toward the sun. (Often, one of the side branches will become the main trunk if it’s already pointing up when the rest of the tree is horizontal). With this yellow birch I believe the trunk was snapped twice. The funny thing is that the trunk looks healthy and sound; often when a small tree gets partially knocked over by a bigger tree the wood of the small tree is damaged and either rot will be introduced or the wounds will callus over and the trunk will look enlarged and sometimes the bark will change appearance (below is a photo of an ash that likely suffered this fate). If the yellow birch tree was knocked over when it was younger, it was a vigorous tree that was able to grow quickly and heal the wounds. The other explanation is that this growth pattern results from some sort of genetic deformity.”
This week’s contest winner was Jen Weimer of Hillsboro, NH