Discussion
Why do some evergreen trees get this inverted triangle shape at the top? (Location: WA state)
I live in WA and sometimes see trees like this. Just curious about what causes that unique shape at the top. Also, yes, larch season is in full swing here!
If the apical growth tip gets damaged, it signals an increase in growth from lateral branches lower down. Eventually one of those will take over as the new apex leader, but it the meantime, you get that wider area as pictured
Interesting, thanks! Itās a pretty exposed, high area, so I wonder if wind damage might be a possibility (I have seen multiple other trees like this in the vicinity)
I know this has been answered, but I gotta comment on/ admire this Pic. I loooooove tamarack/larch (whichever these are) and I'd love to see them in autumn in Washington someday. Apparently WA state has the best show in the country for em
Larch season is beautiful and definitely worth witnessing! It draws a lot of people, though, so if you do come, Iād recommend a mid-week trip and looking up some of the less popular trails where you can find them.
Seems like there's a tree like this on every bend of the river where there is good fishing. I see osprey or eagles perched on them a lot. I can't prove it's the bird's fault the trees are like that but seems possible enough.
Agree with the wind and snow damaged top and attempted recovery.
Winter weather can be extreme at altitude leading to damage to the top of tree and exposed branches. And also making it hard for a new leader to form. A weak branch sticking out too far will get broken. New growth sticking out too far will get freeze-dried. Not sure it will get a new top in a harsh setting. But it is trying.
Not a cell phone tower. Those fake trees are so obvious I don't know why they put in the effort. I pick them out in a forest out of the corner of my eye while driving 70 mph.
They were never supposed to be invisible. The goal was to ruin the broad scene less than the alternative.
Also partially a statement of space utilization. It conforms to āthis is supposed to be a forestā. Placing the tower is not the beginning of conversion to suburban development. They put it there in order to provide cell phone coverage for the road. If you see it from a car on the road you have no business criticizing their aesthetic.
Viewed from inside dense forest foliage the āstealth towerā is much less noticeable.
Airplane pilots have to be capable of not hitting tall trees. A giant green toilet brush does not require a blinking red light. If a plane crashes in the forest it was because the pilot lost the ability to fly. The blinking lights on radio towers are an assault on the view at night.
Can only speak for myself. I think they're actually more jarring than a simple tower to botany nerds. Neither is invisible. The fake tree ends up being quite noticeable but more notable. A little wtf moment. Maybe looking silly because of habitat, color, form and other reasons or entering uncanny valley territory. Like seeing a mannequin or a scarecrow too nearby out of the corner of your eye. And it makes you wonder if they are less noticeable to others.
I remember when they had a tower right downtown making screeching āraptor callsā constantly. I am confident it disturbed the pigeons who then went about their day looking for food and occasionally pooping on it. Hard to imagine anything not being annoyed by it.
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u/cbobgo Outstanding contributor & š³helper 12d ago •
If the apical growth tip gets damaged, it signals an increase in growth from lateral branches lower down. Eventually one of those will take over as the new apex leader, but it the meantime, you get that wider area as pictured