Freak Trees
OF THE
State of New York
The New York State
College of Forestry
Syracuse University
FRANKLIN MOON
Dean
1926
Issued by the
EXTENSION DEPARTMENT
New York State College of Forestry
Syracuse, New York
Material Prepared
by
Prof. GURTH WHIPPLE
[Pg 1]
FOREWORD
“There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,” in fact,everywhere in the woods, whether pathed or pathless,is the dwelling of pleasure. In the woods abidesromance, mystery, music, laughter, beauty, inspiration, awe,rapture. None can escape the broadening vision, the excitementof the imagination, the poetic inspiration imparted bycontact with the teeming harmony of woods life. Even theoccasional discords are only minor notes that become partof one universal rythm.
TREES SURPASSINGLY INTERESTING
Added to their pleasure-giving there are their healthadministrations. None, who go into the woods, fail to feelthe forest-refreshment to body and mind. Trees have manyvalues and many attractions. They present such a widediversity that they may be said to surpass in interest allother products of the soil. Their traditions, their ancientlineage, their physical properties are thought-absorbing; theirbeneficence and human-like habits touch a responsive chordin man. Much about them is as deep a mystery as thefarthermost star.
FREAK TREES ATTRACTIVE
Tree shapes are generally beautiful even in distortion.Freak trees attract the attention of all travellers. Probablythey cause more comment and speculation than almost anyother phase of the forest. They excite wonder; they challengeour power of scrutiny and observation; they causethe beholder to stop, to examine and to ponder. They aresometimes inexplicable. They defy natural laws, as weknow them, that govern tree life, in a way that baffles ourunderstanding.
Freak trees often save the camper, the hunter and theexplorer from disaster. Trees that do not look like the vastmajority of their fellows compel attention and impress thememory, identifying locations, streams and trails, and thusoften lead the lost like a guiding hand safely from the wilderness.The true woodsman consciously and unconsciously isever looking for freak trees when he is traveling in a newcountry. Freak trees are landmarks, good guides, goodfriends.
NATURE AND ACCIDENT CAUSE FREAKS
Why do trees take on abnormal shapes? Is it somethingin the character of the tree or is it due to accident? Theresults of this contest indicate that tree-freaks are due to[Pg 2]both causes the same as in the animal kingdom. It wouldseem that a close parallel to the fortunes and misfortunesof humanity