The sun., 1899-04-02
FREAKS AMONG TREES.
Curious Shapes Taken by Trunks and Limbs
on Five-SIile Beach.

Sc, ISLE CITY. n. j.. April IA few miles
from this place. on the island OF Five-Me
Beach. are to be found about rs curious tree
grow tbs as there arc in this country. Nature
has been lavish here in the formation of freak
trees. The Samese twins. two monster hollies
grow up to height ~ sixty-flve feet. About
fifteen feet from the ground. years ago. a
branch nearly a foot in diameter grew out from
one Of the trees and in some unknown manner
forced lis way through the trunk OF the adJoin-
ing tree, thus solidly joining the two trees to-
Gethcr. These trees are Of the same thickness
and height. and both are thrifty.
A short distance from the curiousy Joined
holly trees grows "Crooke edness," a cedar tree.
which has assumed n most fantastic shape.
This tree. instead OF growing straight up into
the air. has taken course along the ground
only Il few feet above it. Tho trunk grows in
this manner fully twenty feet from it's base.
then it curves upward until its branches are
reached. There everything becomes n tangled
mass OF branches. crooked and inter-
mingled that to follow the course OF any
limb is almost impossible. Within stones
throw Of tho Wildwood station. on this
island. stands the arch or rainbow tree.
II is wild cherry. During the many years OF
| its growth its trunk has assumed the shape OF
perfect half circle The tree Is more than
two feet in diameter The trunk. after de-
scrbinG an arch. rises as straight as an arrow
| to q height Of thirty feet. In 1892 President
| Harrison visited Wildwood and was greatly
| interested in tho odd tree growths. 1t was
| upon the arch Of the rainbow tres tina. he and
| Baby Mckee sat 10 have their photographs
taken. Tn" antlerS is probably the oldest OF
all the odd trees growing, on the island In this
| instance large branch Of a red cedar has grown
into the form Of Il decr'S antlers. The reSem-
/ hlancr is almost perfect even to the length
and thickness Of the rr1nGs, Of which there her M are
| branch was cnt from the tree of which it was a
part hy a curiosity hunter IT was secured and
! Is now on exhibition at Wildwood. There is a
hibitiOn there. Included among them are q
| couple Of holly branches which take the exact
shape of harp. A number Of small branches
the harp strings. .Phip, =. Baker Of Wildwood
i%nisih. spell the. name |w!!dToodiina TRS
Ha%e HSsS arc particular" is"u well formed. y"
holly branch has grown into the, shape OF
| an elephants trunk and the two long tusks
| Of ivory look natural. as the wood Of the holly
riety growing up through the no How trunk Of
| al old cedar is another freak showing how
oddly nature provides for her children 4
course o. its growth found its way into the air
| and sunlight through an opening left by 2 de-
! cayed limb about ten feet from the ground. As
thet trunk Of the imprisoned magnolia expands
| 1t will probably force the cedar to pieces
| Five Mile Beach Is not alone noted for its
| curious tree grOwths. 1t is II garden spot for
tanicai society Of New York city visited and
| explored every nook and corner Of the island.
| and its researches brought to light the fact
| that no fewer than sixty eight species OF wild
| growing there. Nearly every wild hoxer found
from Maine to Florida was included in the list.