11.30.2009

Not So Jolly Holly

Once upon a time some other tree stood next to this old holly tree. The holly grew against and partially around the other tree, then the mystery tree died...
and left behind some pretty odd looking scars on the holly. Doesn't this one sort of remind you of a face?
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American Holly, Ilex opaca

10 comments:

Randy Emmitt said...

Looks like scars from mistletoe growing and deforming the tree.

swamp4me said...

Randy,
Mistletoe wasn't the culprit in this case although the scars do bear a resemblance. In a couple of places higher up in the tree you can actually see parts of the tree the holly grew around.

Woodduck said...

Last picture...I see a mule face.

swamp4me said...

woodduck,
I think maybe it's a drunk mule who got into a fight ;)

jason said...

It's a very cool thing to notice, especially having seen the original tree before it vanished and left behind only traces of itself on the new tree.

And yes, definitely an intoxicated mule who lost the bar fight! (Or an impressionist painting of said mule.)

Anonymous said...

Have always enjoyed your sit but even more so now that the pictures are described.

swamp4me said...

jason,
The "mystery" tree was a tough old mulberry that died years ago and was eventually taken down. I miss that old tree...
Maybe a Picasso mule? One eye here, another somewhere over there...

swamp4me said...

Anonymous,
Welcome. I'm glad you enjoy the site.

Cindy said...

Swampy,
It looks a bit like a drunken Tree beard from LOTR. Or at least a drunken tree spirit. I like him.

swamp4me said...

Cindy,
You're right - definitely a drunken Ent!