Lessons of the Twisted Twizzler Tree

If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there, does it make a sound? I think so, but who really cares if it makes a sound... the real question is if a tree falls in the forest, exposing all it's roots as it rips from the soil, can it not only keep on living but begin to grow many more trees on top, turn it's roots into twisted tree trunks and lift rocks? Yes, for realz. (I bet it made alot of noise when it happened!)

This twisted, braided, beaded (with rocks and knots) tree is close to the Luck Cabin, sitting in a wet bog like area where a few small creek & springs converge - creating an area of strange trees, trees that either fell and re-grew, or that look like 4 feet of ground dropped out from underneath.

Look below and you can see the original main tree truck that fell - it has even decayed at the top, covered in moss and turning into soil, but more trees grow straight up into the air from it.

Smaller trees...some dead, some alive wrap their roots in a hug on old roots and other new trees growing...

Rocks that had been in the ground, rocks that had intertwined with the roots were lifted and then the growth became tighter around them, till they were part of the twisted beauty, almost camouflaged into bark covered roots...

Some rocks sit loosely but never fall, they rest cradled up in the air.

These parts of nature inspire me... even if it's somewhat cliche' in my mind, the twisted tree shows the type of perseverance humans can take guidence from, it shows strength and adaptability--- and the sheer delight and beauty in the unusual, the strange, the handicap, the freaky. It's why I never turn my back on the rejected, the creepy, the lonely, the different things- they are life too, all exsistence is part of this mysterious cycle, all possessing lessons to teach. Lessons that make our lives easier.

AKA -

You hate homeless people, well Get Over IT!

You think that poor person should get a job or not be able to have babies of their own,well Get OVer It!

People in a wheelchair freak you out, well GET OVer IT!

Developmentally Disabled people scare you, GET OVEr IT!
That weird drunk guy who wont stop talking to you, He's got something to teach!

(I need not go on....the twisted tree has spoken ;) ....)

Xoxoxox

Whoa WTF Tree!

Yeah, it looks like a rock in front that large tree trunk right? From far away I knew it was part of the tree, but as I approached it I thought that HAS to be a big boulder....

WHat it is IS A TREE (not a rock), folded ova' like a piece of freakin' bread dough! Wowsers! I don't even begin to understand this one.

But I love it. I mean I love it so much that if it asked me to marry it, I would totally say yes and take care of this old man (knowing he will outlive me!) This is not only an awesome tree because of this weirdo circular appendage, but also it is one of the largest birch trees I have ever seen! The type of birch which smells like wintergreen & rootbeer in it's bark and branches.....mmmmm

You can see here the top of the folded bark 'boulder', and it's strange connection to the main trunk... what do you think? One time a root? One time a trunk? Wtf is it?

AnD here's Me ! On top the funny rounded stumpy! WiLd !

xoxoxxoo

Nature DIY: Making Paper Birch Garland

The bark from the paper birch tree is very strong and the wood in the middle tends to rot long before the outside - leaving these beautiful birch bark tubes - with all kinds of character, roughness, texture, knots, and curls. I like it alot and decided to make some simple garland with it.

Is this the most chic, hip and cool project? Nope. It's just fun to play with things in nature... (also if you have kids they love stringing things together like this!) I myself, just have an inner kid.
The easiest way to string the pieces is to use a safety pin on the end.... I used soy yarn as a string.

For the pieces that were not perfect cylinders, i used a hole puncher to punch a hole to string through and it worked perfect!
The two end pieces on both the right and left I punched holes in to tie a knot so the garland can stay in place.
YAY! This is a gift for someone and I can't wait to give it. Handmade gifts, even weird hippy-fied nature ones are the best. :)
Xoxoxoxo

Aromatic Birch Tree (Wintergreen & Root Beer Flavored)

I have been looking for a flavored birch tree to smell again for 6 years now. I took a wacky native plants class back then in Waynesville, NC that taught me about how the Native Americans used this type of birch tree (pictured here) to brush their teeth with (now is this really true?) -and during that time I lived at a house in Bethel, NC which had an abundance of aromatic birch saplings for me to sniff on, mmmmm. I hadn't found one since, till today. These trees have the most amazing scent of all time, they smell like wintergreen and root beer - a scent so strong yet totally non offensive it can make your mouth water and there's a natural instinct to just chew on a branch. Or make a drink out of it.

The bark has alot of nuances going on, from smooth to peeling and cracked - but across the whole trunk is a basic pattern of patchy lighter and darker greys. I have nothing but love for these birch trees. :)

XoXo