Oak and Madrone: A Marriage Made in Nature

by DeAnn Herringshaw
(Eugene, Oregon, USA)

On Wild Iris Ridge outside of Eugene, Oregon, I encountered a huge inosculation of oak and madrone. Both were very old trees, their bases appearing as one massive trunk. At one point, where a low madrone limb touches the oak trunk, the bark of the oak overlaps the madrone limb (See the left side of the photo)

Here my granddaughter stands upon a natural floor created by the fusion of the two trees.

This is truly a magical spot to visit!