2007-02-08

927. Force Majeure

Fallen spruce —
the dark rings, how'd
they form?

12 comments:

Masago said...

Fallen spruce -
the dark rings, how'd
they form?

Link with 926: Growth.

[Occasionally we come across a pine or a spruce tree that has succumbed to the power of the wind. Half the rings in the severed trunk are thicker and have a lighter colour. Apparently they are formed during the summer. The other rings are thinner and darker and are formed during the winter. This is a marvel to me, especially when it is -30 outside and everything in sight is frozen solid.]

Pamela said...

now I'm curious as well

Anonymous said...

I'm not going to do your science homework for you. :P

Anonymous said...

It is not difficult to find what the pair of light and dark growth rings means and how did they form. But the question is realy charming. I wonder how?

J. Andrew Lockhart said...

I'm laughing from Aurora's comment. :)

Borut said...

You said it right, must be another case of the 'act of God'!:)Reminds me of a hassidic story in which a farmhand entrusted with a beautiful horse was asking himself philosophical questions during his nightwatch hours. His deep questions always impressed his master. The last one, however, was a real gem. Asked by the landlord his usual 'What's the deep question this time', he said: A tough one: I'm here, the stable is there, but ... where is the horse!?:) How could it have dissapeared, with me here all the time, watching and thinking...!!?

Pat Paulk said...

The "greater force", me thinks, is in your pen!! Rings scare the hell out of me, especially "gold" ones.

John McDonald said...

nice observation
john

polona said...

masago - lord of the rings? :)

Tikkis said...

My vote for polona's comment? :-)

Bill said...

I like the moment. Of course, you know you can probably look it up, but, for the moement, hang on to the mystery.

Besides, there's an answer beyond what the books will tell you.

Masago said...

Pamela: :-)

Aurora: Very funny, smarty pants! :-)

Dana-Maria: Yes, it is a wonder.

Andrew: She's the life of this party. :-)

Borut: Thanks for that amusing story. I know some people that are just like that stable hand.

Pat: You are too kind...and too funny!

John: Thanks.

Polona: Me?

Tikkis: *blush*

Bill: Actually I did look it up...and couldn't get a straight answer. :-) Basically, evergreen trees slow down in the winter. They have a resinous sap from which we get turpentine. I assume this helps prevent the sap from freezing in the cold temperatures.

I also think you are right about an answer beyond...