Tree Bark. What's the tree?

sunnydale · #1 (**permalink**) 25-05-2009, 07:51 AM

Ive always loved this tree bark (from a tree in Chatsworth Woods)....but can't find it in my tree book!

Please could one of you experts put me out of my misery and tell me what species it is?!

Thanks,

Tracey

The Woodman · #2 (**permalink**) 25-05-2009, 08:29 AM

Hi Tracy
There's not much to go on with this one. It's not a typical tree bark but one of those quirks of nature. I think it's "ripple bark" or "fiddleback", I don't know if there's a scientific name for it but it often occurs on Acers - sycamores and maples. The nodules are another quirk, they may have been caused by an organism and trees like this can be very valuable when of a decent size for veneer. The ripple effect is shown to its best when a thin veneer is taken from the trunk and has been used in furniture and musical instrument making.

Some of the firs have resin blisters and ripply bark e.g. Grand Fir on young stems too.

If you're there again, try and get some images of leaves so we can have a good old debate about the species!

sunnydale · #3 (**permalink**) 25-05-2009, 09:55 PM

I'm sure it was a type of conifer, almost like one of those Monkey Puzzle trees (Araucaria araucana)....but as the branches were confined to the uppermost part of the tree (and it was very very tall)....they were impossible to photograph (well, for me anyway!

).

I'm not convinced this tree is a quirk of nature, as there are a few of them in Chatsworth Woods. I'm wondering if they were introduced as ornamental specimens, back in the days when the woods would have been quite impressive.

ceterach · #4 (**permalink**) 25-05-2009, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunnydale

I'm sure it was a type of conifer, almost like one of those Monkey Puzzle trees (Araucaria araucana)..

Must admit, that was my immediate response to the photo!

The Woodman · #5 (**permalink**) 25-05-2009, 11:35 PM

Fair comments certerach and sunnydale. A small section of trunk without any other clues is a real tester!

The person who took the pic is in the best position to judge as he/she (I know it's you Tracy!) can see all the other evidence that we WABbers cannot.

I know of some youngist Chilean Pines near here, I'll have a close look and report back.

sunnydale · #6 (**permalink**) 26-05-2009, 08:09 AM

I'll try and get back there later this week for another look. I could always shimmy up the trunk to photograph the branches at the top!

The Woodman · #7 (**permalink**) 26-05-2009, 08:20 AM

That's above and beyond the call of duty!

Chilean Pines have unique foliage and are very distictive, there's usually some old leaves knocking about on the ground, very stiff with a sharp point.

Having reviewed the image of the trunk, I'm sure your both right.

Meta menardi · #8 (**permalink**) 26-05-2009, 09:24 AM

Check out this link

Champion Trees

and on the right side of the page is a pic of a Chilean Pine. The College has an avenue of them leading up to the buildings. If your tree looks anything like this, you have your ID.

The Woodman · #9 (**permalink**) 26-05-2009, 10:33 AM

I drove down that avenue every day for a week two years ago and was impressed with the pines. I'm now looking at a fern I bought in the nursery there at the time.

Meta menardi · #10 (**permalink**) 26-05-2009, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Woodman

I drove down that avenue every day for a week two years ago and was impressed with the pines. I'm now looking at a fern I bought in the nursery there at the time.

Ooh Err, I worked there some time ago, and then moved to Cumbria! If you are following me, Woodman, you are about 20 years behind.