Have you spotted these ‘corky wings’ on trees near you? 🤔

No need to worry, it doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong! These corky outgrowths are often found on elm (as in the pics) and also frequently on maple.

There doesn’t seem to be an authoritative explanation of this phenomenon – or not that I’ve found, anyway. The working assumption is that it may be a protective mechanism against nibbling animals.

Field Maples, for example, have very sugary sap and may use the fluting as protection against squirrels and other animals that love stripping the bark to get to the sappy goodness 🐿️… we think!

The more I learn about trees, the more I realise just how much I don’t know – and how many things there are that we, collectively, don’t really know. In a way, it’s unsurprising and comforting to know that humans do not hold the key to all of the complexity of the natural world. Trees are just one element of this, and an endlessly fascinating one at that!

Next time you walk past a tree… why not lean in for a closer look!