Arborous Myths

It is a false set of stories told on campus tours of the University of British Columbia. That one day, students chose to uproot a tree and replant it, upside down. Their backgrounds and motivations change with each retelling, but the result is the same: the tree, seen above, adapted to its new orientation by regrowing branches and leaves out of its exposed root system. Its top, meanwhile, embedded new stems into the soil below, so it could draw water and continue its existence unbothered.

Looking up at this tangled mess, you may be fooled into thinking the anecdotes are plausible.

Instead, what you are gazing at is a particularly knotted Camperdown Elm. A Scottish cultivar known for its unique trunk formations. This one is situated on Agriculture Road surrounded by the Chemistry and Physics Buildings, the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre, and the Irving K. Barber Library. In case you feel like dropping by and relaxing in its shade. (Benches provided.)

Beautiful and remarkable in its own way, without need for tall tales. No less a gem among its more familiar company.