I saw this tree in Austria over the summer (see photo). The trunk seemed to divide near the base and became almost three separate trees as it climbed higher. What species is this, and is it a normal occurrence? If so, what purpose does this division serve?
鈥� The photographs do not reveal the finer details of the foliage 鈥� in particular, flowers or cones 鈥� that would enable anyone to be sure of the species. It is a conifer in the broad sense, and most probably a cypress. In contrast with deciduous trees, such as the oak, lopping a young conifer off at the base is likely to kill it. Unlike an oak, it will not regrow with multiple trunks. The only reasonable conclusion is therefore that three seeds have germinated close to each other. In other words, it is three trees together rather than just one.
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Terence Hollingworth, Blagnac, France
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This article appeared in print under the headline 鈥淒ivide and rule鈥�