On Jan 8, 8:26 pm, Don Bertolette <[email protected]> wrote: > Dan > To what do you attrbute the bark characteristics in photos number 4/5? > Don
I don't have the answer, but info I can provide is that this pattern is only found bear the bases of old trees, around 3'dbh at least. The lines are raised, the broad areas sunken. The bark is so thin in thes places that you can puncture the phloem with your thumbnail. The sunken places are where plates of bark fall out, leaving the raised dividing lines. Tuliptrees sometimes also exhibit a special old- growth bark pattern near the base, with uncharacteristically rounded, thin-barked patterns. This usually happens after 3 or more "sheds" of the typical ridge-like bark have occurred. These atypical patterns don't seem to be attributible to growing conditions, since you won't find the same pattern on neighboring trees. Perhaps it is genetic. These are among the many delights in old-growth forest that you won't find in vigorous, young stands. Dan
