While out for a drive on Sunday in the beautiful Norman countryside we
came across an unusual oak quite close to the town of Bagnoles de
l'Orne. At about head height the main trunk splits into six and is known
as the Chêne des Six Frères. Struck by the strangeness of this
phenomenon we wondered whether it was a freak of nature or whether it
had been persuaded to grow in this way for some reason. When we returned
home I did a search on Yahoo and, although the one we saw is not listed
anywhere, indeed there are others like it that are listed. There is one
in Burgundy which looks very similar to the one that we saw. The link to
that one is:

http://www.onf.fr/FORET/flore/arbremark/freres.htm

We have also found others with five and four divisions, all known as
"brothers".

Can anyone tell me how it's possible to persuade an oak to divide its
main trunk in this way? It is certainly an arresting sight. Also are
there any similar examples in the UK? Third question: why do people do
it?

Foolishly I didn't have my camera with me. Next time I shall!

Fascinated but perplexed!

David

P.S. What's happened to the urg contributor who lives near Bagnoles? I
haven't seen any posts from her recently and, unfortunately, I can't
remember her name.

--
+------------------------------------------------------------+
| Internet: | writing from |
| Fidonet: David Rance 2:252/110 | Le Mesnil Villement, |
| BBS: telnet://mesnil.demon.co.uk | Calvados, France |
+------------------------------------------------------------+