Salt Lake Telegram | 1931-07-25 | Page 6 | Freaks and Oddities in Science News

i r Freaks FreaR s and Oddities es I IB In n News New m m m m f I OF iri A mountain birch has been found in the Great L Smoky Mountains national park area which ap- ap apparently stands on stilts seven feet high The explanation ex ex- ex explanation Is that the birch seeds commonly germinate germinate germi germi- nate in the moss covered prostrate trunks or stumps of or decaying hemlocks or chestnuts The seedling roots penetrate the mossy covering co and go on down into the earth As the log or stump decays the seedling grows stronger and stronger Then when the original tree soil soll has hns entirely vanished through decay the young tree is left high in the air its roots resembling stilts The greatest elevation of or such a birch so far observed Is this seven foot one one with eleven roots acting as stilts