White Trail

Beech with Old Fence

When the White Trail meets the Red, look for a large beech tree.

This beech tree was much smaller when the farmer used it for a fence post and stapled a new woven wire fence to its side. Each year trees grow by adding a new layer or ring of wood and bark around the surface of the trunk. During its growth, this beech has gradually engulfed the wire mesh of the fence until several inches of wood cover the wire. The fence pattern is still visible in the outer bark and the rusty wires protrude on each side. With the passage of time the exposed wires will rust away, and if the tree survives only the scarred trunk will bear witness to the fence within.

Next: Step Into the Past