What is the cause of this strange deformity? It looks as if the tree has been bound with cables at some time, possibly to brace another tree, but that seems rather unlikely give the natural management regime in the Beechwoods. Maybe it’s produced by some parasite or other natural physical damage to the tree. It’s a trace, a legacy of something, but what is a mystery. It appears to be unique.
Photo: Beechwoods, Cambridge February 2017