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Reply	david1 says: Not too sure of the species of tree here, but I do know of a wild cherry (i think!0 that grows in a similar spiral pattern, could it be that something similar is happening here, and that the twists have dried/split at the lower levels?  (no votes) Tags: unanswered, human body, plants.
	posted on 2008-01-30 18:20:00 | Report abuse

Reply	Anonymous says: I know that the English chestnut tree grows with a spiral pattern in its trunk and sometimes when such a tree falls and rots, you can see this very clearly. I can't honestly imagine a tree twisting round and round to catch the light so this must just be a way that many trees grow. I wonder if such twisting could add strength to the trunk in the same way that twisted rope is stronger?  (no votes) Tags: unanswered, human body, plants.
	posted on 2008-01-30 19:22:00 | Report abuse

Reply	eric.bretschneider says: While I haven't seen the tree in question and am by no means an expert, the damage appears very similar to what I have seen on numerous trees in the pine forrests in Florida. The damage there is caused by lighting strikes. It is not uncommon for the lightning to follow a curved (spiral) path around the trunk.The intense heat from the lightning strike causes sap to flash to steam and explode portions of the bark and wood off the tree. Exposure to the elements and pests can enlarge the damage later.Depending on the environment it is not uncommon to see numerous strikes on the same tree (I have seen up to five).As the tree in the photo appears to be a sequoia or red wood, it may be quite old and decades may have passed since the original strikes. Note as well that the tree is somewhat isolated and may act as a natural lighting rod.  (no votes) Tags: unanswered, human body, plants.
	posted on 2008-01-30 20:33:00 | Report abuse

Reply	Dustin says: It's also very possiable that these started off as 2 seperate trees of the same species that wrapped around each other eventually forming one trunk.  (no votes) Tags: unanswered, human body, plants.
	posted on 2008-01-30 20:41:00 | Report abuse

Reply	John says: Having lived at Yosemite years ago there are a couple of things I do know. This area is not 900 meters above sea level but more like 7000 feet. It is not a Redwood. It is difficult to be sure but it looks to me like a very large and mature Lodgepole Pine. Many large old trees in the Sierra and Cascades show these twists in their old age,it is visible in younger trees too but not so noticeable, I suspect it is a way the trees have evolved to strengthen themselves to the harsh winds and snowloads they face in trying to survive  (1 vote) average rating:5 Tags: unanswered, domestic science, plants.
	posted on 2008-01-30 23:05:00 | Report abuse

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