Replies

1. 
   xcutsaw | Aug 26, 2004 09:06pm | #1

   Hi Kevin

   I saw a tree near the Delaware Water Gap that had picked up a large rock in its crotch and lifted it about 3 feet off the ground. The rock was about 18" in diameter, if memory serves. I saw another tree there, trunk about 12" diameter, that had grown through a chain-link fence.

   Regards,

   tom

2. 
   Alan | Aug 27, 2004 02:04am | #2

   Kevin,

   There are people who go around deliberately torturing trees and forcing them to grow in ways such as that--my aunt, for example.  Just kidding, of course.  It's no more torture than making a seven year old go to school.

   Gardeners have been making trees grow into unusual shapes for centuries.  There's a word for this process; topiary sticks in my mind, but I don't think that's right.  Someone will remember.

   Alan

1. 
   ehrichweiss | Aug 27, 2004 02:10am | #3

   bonsai

2. 
   UncleDunc | Aug 27, 2004 05:41am | #6

   Espalier.

1. 
   Alan | Aug 28, 2004 12:12am | #7

   Uncle Dunc,

   That's it.  Thanks.

   Now all I have to do is remember it this time.

   Alan

3. 
   Fingercuts | Aug 27, 2004 02:16am | #4

   Here is a place that specializes in growing unusual trees.

   http://www.bonfantegardens.com/trees/trees.html

1. 
   Kevin | Aug 27, 2004 05:15am | #5

   Wow... that is amazing! Thanks for posting the link.

   Preemptive Karma  

   "Rather fail with honor than succeed by fraud" - Sophocles.

4. 
   OrchidGuy | Aug 28, 2004 10:33pm | #8

   Hi Kevin,

    Near my home is a tree that had completely swallowed up a foot and half section of guard rail. It was just growing wild in a wooded area alongside the road. After years of people crashing into the rail along the road the city decided to replace the guard rails 2 years ago. Too bad I didn'tget a picture!

   Those daring young men in their flying machines!

1. 
   GrGramps | Aug 28, 2004 10:54pm | #9

   Just north of Jacksonville, (that's in Maryland) is one of the memorable topiary gardens that I've seen.  Once owned by Harvey Ladew who was a personal friend of Lawrence of Arabia.  Talk about name dropping!  Take a look.

   http://www.ladewgardens.com/index2.html

   Roy