A photo of a sign post reading: Heritage Tree Grove Plains Cottonwood, Latin name, Populous deltoids sargentii and the year the tree was dated from, which was 1707. www.heritagetreefoundation.com. The sign is placed in the ground just in front of the trees large trunk. There are many large old, naturally occurring, cottonwood trees along the path which is why it's considered a grove.
A photo of the tree from a short distance back showing the huge wooden growth on the side of the tree. I did a Duck Duck Go search and from what I found, I think it's called a "gall". A gall can be formed by insects secreting chemicals which the tree identifies as its own growth hormones. This stimulates abnormal plant growth. Being over three hundred years old, this tree produced a big cancer like lump on the side of its trunk.
Another photo of the same tree, but further back showing at some point the tree may have been struck by lightning breaking off the top part of the trunk. The trunk appears to be hollowed out at the top. You would think the tree should be dead and some of the limbs are bare and dead looking, while other limbs are full of green healthy leaves. The Plains Cottonwood is a very tough tree to kill, which is why they're so long lived.
A photo from the South East, of the South Saskatchewan River. It's taken from the walking path we were on at Police Point Park. The river flow is high this year. We've had two to three times the normal precipitation, so the grass in the foreground is very green compared to the brown of other years. The vegetation and trees as you move closer to the river bank is also very green. The sky above the clouds is a vivid blue and the sun is showing a yellow corona as it shines through the moving wispy white clouds. The clouds appear as if they are being drawn to follow the river flow as it travels East.
On our walk today we found another Heritage Tree in a grove of them in Police Point Park, Medicine Hat, AB. The sign dates the grove to 1707. The tree has a few warts, but wouldn't you at that age. Also a view of the South Saskatchewan River. Alt Text for details.
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