September 7, 2024
On a slow day in the blogosphere, let’s turn our attention to the miracles of nature.
According to Wikipedia, “inosculation is a natural phenomenon in which trunks, branches or roots of two trees grow together in a manner biologically similar to the artificial process of grafting.” It goes on to tell us that it is “most common for branches of two trees of the same species to grow together, though inosculation may be noted across related species.” Typically, the branches of two trees will grow separately in proximity to each other until they touch. At this point, the bark on the touching surfaces is gradually abraded away as the trees move in the wind. Once the cambium of the trees touch, they sometimes self-graft and grow together as they expand in diameter.
Like this for instance:
Now here’s where it gets pretty cool.
As I was mindlessly surfing through the interwebs, I came across a photograph of two inosculated trees where one of the trees had been completely separated from its roots and truck. Nevertheless, it continues to live (and thrive) in a silent partnership with its adjoining tree.
Cool enough to blog about.
