Funny Growth

[Rich Rule]

I first spotted this tree in Finland 5 years ago and have passed it on numerous occasions driving into central finland with a friend.

 

For the first time last week I managed to actually have the camera ready and grabbed a couple of shots.

 

I have seen 3 different trees like this but this is the best one yet example...

 

Any one shed any light on what is going on here?

 

Cheers,

Rich.

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

its a sport, and a neat one too, good spot!

[nepia]

its a sport, and a neat one too, good spot!

 

 

Do you know what causes it Tony? I know of one in a garden in Warlingham, Surrey neighbouring a client's that I need to visit in a couple of weeks; I'll take pics this time. It's on a conifer too.

 

Jon

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

its a common thing on conifers, i believe its how many of the dwarf varieties have been propogated.

 

I dont know what causes it, maybe nematodes as in the witches brooms of birch and hornbeam?

 

Dunno, will have a look in Hienz butins book for ya.

[Dean Lofthouse]

Good find Rich

 

Although when I opened the post I expected to find pictures of private parts

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

So in most cases withches brooms or "sports!" are caused by various fungi, in silvr fir it is the rust fungus Melampsorella caryophyllacearum.

[Dean Lofthouse]

I bet that tree sways a bit when it's windy

[Rich Rule]

Cheers Tony. I am surprised it is still standing as I mentioned I first spotted it driving north from Helsinki on a snowboard road trip 5 years ago. I am sure there were more trees around it when I originally spotted it. The second time i clocked it was 78 km from Helsinki (on another road trip) and a combination of my dozyness, bad light and not having a camera ready meant it has taken this long to snap it.

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

Cheers Tony. I am surprised it is still standing as I mentioned I first spotted it driving north from Helsinki on a snowboard road trip 5 years ago. I am sure there were more trees around it when I originally spotted it. The second time i clocked it was 78 km from Helsinki (on another road trip) and a combination of my dozyness, bad light and not having a camera ready meant it has taken this long to snap it.

 

I really must do a thread on these, ive got some corkers:thumbup1:

[Lozzatrees]

There is a sport on a fir in the Lost Gardens of Heligan, it is on a fairly low branch and I believe the sign under the tree says that cuttings are taken for the propagation of bonsai trees.

 

Here is a pic I took of it several years ago