Trees holding hands.

[All Up Here]

Hi Guys,

 

Just signed up to get some thoughts on a couple of trees I've found. Please forgive me if this post goes horribly wrong, maybe trying to add a photo to my first ever post will prove to be a bad idea.

 

As the title, the kids are guessing that the trees are simply holding hands.

 

I would ideally like to remove the trees, as they are in an area I had earmarked for something else. However, I'd just like to know if this is common, and why it happens, before I decide whether to remove or not.

 

[TreeTiger]

Quite rare and quite attractive...

the side branch being in contact with the adjacent tree has caused the two trees to fuse.

If the area is not frequently used, I would retain the trees as a curiosity.

 

However, as the fusing may have reduced the structural integrity of the stem, there may be a higher risk of the top snapping out and if there is very frequent pedestrian traffic, you may wish to fence off the trees or carry out pruning to reduce the loading on the weak point, or as you say, remove them.

[All Up Here]

Thanks mate, that's useful info.

 

I have no intention of taking them down if this isn't something that happens all the time. That's really why I signed up here, to get a few educated opinions.

 

They aren't really in an area where they would pose any real risk to anyone. They aren't near a footpath or anything like that.

[David Humphries]

Inosculation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

pretty common in woodland but also to be found along roadsides by trees that are in to 'touching themselves'

 

.

[AcaciaRental]

How interesting! I would keep it for the novelty, not something you come across everyday.

 

You could always cut them down and make something out of the fused chunk?

[All Up Here]

Thanks lads.

 

Although it seems less rare than I would have thought, it seems to be a pretty good example (compared to the pictures on the Wiki link).

 

I think it would be a shame to cut them down if not necessary.

 

Can someone please tell me what species of tree they are?

[Spoons]

From the photo I would say there Scott's Pine.

[Glen Poole]

This is quite common with beech trees, looks like the tree has grown this way for extra support where needed?