Does anyone know a dermatologist in the Hanover area? Because this tree needs a recommendation!

While observing nature along the Vermont side of the Connecticut river, I noticed that a tree with wart-like, spherical bumps all over its trunk and branches was leafless while most others trees nearby were thriving. I have seen similar looking trees before and have wondered what those bumps are and what causes them. I decided to do some research to find out (from experience, I would advise against putting “wart-like tree bumps” in the google search bar unless you are ready to see some questionable images of a very rare “tree man illness”). At first, I thought the bumps on the tree could be characteristic of a specific species of tree, but after my research I found that these bumps are called “burls” or “burrs” and can appear on many different species of trees.

Interestingly, scientists still have much to learn about what causes burls to form on a tree. Evidenced theories include insect infestation, fugal infection, genetic predisposition, and environmental trauma. While these issues may lead to the formation of burls, burls themselves do not harm the tree. However, the presence of burls can provide some explanation for a tree’s poor health.

The specific tree that I saw had small and medium-sized burls. That the tree had burls and was leafless at this point in the spring led me to believe that it is or has recently been experiencing some sort of issue. I cannot identify the cause of the burls, but I am interested in inspecting this tree throughout my time here at Dartmouth. Perhaps in a few years the tree will be thriving again!

Don’t warty, be happy!

-Lauren Archer

http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/what-is-a-burl

Good evening curious readers!

Today, as I was pleasantly sitting and observing nature by the Connecticut riverbank, I was startled by something moving in the water down below. I saw a small head and a small part of an animal’s back emerge from the water. At first I thought of a beaver, but as I observed the animal more I realized that it was actually a groundhog because it was smaller than a beaver and had a groundhog’s tail! That discovery made sense because when I first approached my observation spot I saw a groundhog first look round and then scurry down the hill near the riverbank.

After researching groundhogs briefly after my encounter, I found out that groundhogs do indeed swim in order to evade predators or survey their territory for potential food sources! I think the one I saw was looking for food. I am interested in going back to see how many live in that area! So far, I have encountered three different groundhogs (the first three I have seen in my life!) and I look forward to discovering more about their interesting mannerisms! I have a (poor quality, unfortunately) picture of the first groundhog I saw. I didn’t get a chance to take a picture of the one in the river, but I did find one on the internet that looked exactly like what I saw!

A groundhog by the Dartmouth Cemetery

What the groundhog swimming that I saw looked like http://www.pennlive.com/wildaboutpa/2010/08/pennsylvania_claws_wings_thing_16.html)

Yay for groundhogs! If they can swim, then maybe they can Kayak too…..I’ll have to do some more observations to find out!

Until next time fellow naturalists!