Where: All of Sweden
When: All year around
What: Bent birch trees
As I hiked through the forest, I couldn't help but notice the strangely bent birch trees. It was as if someone had pulled the plug and let the air out. When I asked around, nobody seemed to know why these trees grow like this. So, I decided to investigate...
The first thing that crossed my mind was that back in the Netherlands, where birch trees also thrive, I had never seen such bent birches. Perhaps, I thought, it might have something to do with the climate here. Additionally, I noticed that these bent birches are often quite young, with thin trunks. Another thought popped up about the flow of sap within the trunk.
It turned out to be quite challenging to find an answer to my question. The phenomenon is well known in cold regions like Scandinavia and Canada, there is even a poem written about it. But the cause isn't very clear-cut. The most straightforward answer came from Susan Pike, a researcher and teacher in environmental sciences and biology. She seemed like a reliable source to me.
ADAPTING TO THE COLD NORTHERN CLIMATE
Life in the cold north can be tough for trees. Other trees commonly found up north, like spruces, have adapted to the climate by taking on a conical shape. This allows heavy snow to slide off their branches, preventing them from buckling under the weight. Birch trees, however, have another trick up their sleeve to survive in the north; flexibility.
WHY DO BIRCHES SOMETIMES BEND?
Birches have relatively heavy crowns compared to their slender trunks, making them a bit top-heavy. Heavy snowfall and ice can cause the weight to become too much, resulting in the tree bending or sometimes even breaking. In spring, some of these bent trees straighten up again to some extent as the sap starts flowing. However, it's unlikely that severely bent trees will fully straighten on their own. The bending is often a permanent deformation. Most birches remain bent, with their crowns almost touching the ground. Usually, they don't grow very old in this position.
Today, during another hike in the forest, I stumbled upon several bent birch trees again. I paused to take a picture. The curve of the trees seemed to reflect their willpower to withstand the harsh northern elements. As I stood there, the sight left me with a newfound appreciation for these bowing birches and their impressive ability to adjust and survive in their challenging environment, even if just for a while.
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