A lot of the coniferous trees in this area have these strange tangled clumps in their branches. They look a little like squirrels’ nests or even, from a distance, porcupines. I’ve been wondering what they are – some odd plant parasite, perhaps? – and I finally found my answer: witch’s broom.
From Wikipedia: “A witch’s broom is a disease or deformity in a woody plant, typically a tree, where the natural structure of the plant is changed. A dense mass of shoots grows from a single point, with the resulting structure resembling a broom or a bird’s nest.” Apparently of diseases, pests, and parasites can cause trees to form them. And they do get used as nests on occasion, by flying squirrels, among other critters.
Have you seen any witch’s broom in your area?
Could these have anything to do with the malformed “crested saguaros” of the Sonoran desert?
I haven’t seen them in this area, but I see them often in the Pigeon River Country when I am there. I have noticed those growths, but never gave much thought as to why the trees grew like that. Thank you!
Hej Rebecca, I often see them on birth trees here in DK. Would you like a photo?
Well, I’ll take a photo anyway next time I see it.
Is it a coincidence that you write about witches broom on the witches night? Where they have their yearly meeting at Bloksbjerg on 30. April ? I have just written about the witches night.. It’s called Walburgis Night. NB: I don’t believe in witches, I’m just very interested in the Middle Ages and its folklore.
Thank you for your interesting posts.
Best wishes
Grethe ยด)
Sorry, of course I mean birch trees!!
I have noticed a few of these- it seems there is more going on with trees than we typically think!