[the OlLine Rebel]

I’d possibly call BS on some of these tree photos.

Yes, trees DO grow around things, but the question is at what rate? Not being a tree expert, I’d like to know what kinds they are and if it jibes with the items.

The gravestone, e.g., cannot be more than c. 120 years old, being basically granite which was not the overwhelming type until about 100 years ago. If this stone is that old, can the sapling that was next to it have grown to that extent? My biggest concern is that the stone is more c’40s.

The small bike? A glance implies it might be from the ‘50s, yet not only is it well ensconced in the tree (no split where it might have enveloped), but it is a few feet up.

A tree expert would be nice!

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Not an expert but it depends on the tree and where it is planted.

The Tulip Poplar can grow 40 feet tall in 15 years.

[Don W]

The bicycle photo has been in circulation for decades. The young lad who leaned it there died in the First World War, IIRC.

[mairdie]

Great call. I'd like to hear more, too, since those pictures aren't all that uncommon of things in trees.

I found my greatgrandfather's grave taken over by the forest, but not by a single tree.



It's up on the top of a huge hill and some poor person was under it when it fell over while they were installing it. A Civil War group took it over and I found a cousin who had the design for the brass plaque that was stolen.

[TexasGator]

Possible that tree is about 150 now and 70 when bike chained but just a guess.

[texas booster]

Pinging our resident tree experts.

Can trees grow up around the objects pictured, or are these staged in some way?

[PAR35]

The rubber hasn’t even rotted on that front bicycle tire. That one is obviously fake.

As to the gravestone, while it is possible for some plants to grow quickly, the stone looks too pristine, but I’d rank that one as a possible.

[Paradox]

In South Florida, we have a tree we call the Brazilian Pepper tree. It is a total menace. I have to cut them back every year, they are extremely hard to kill. It can grow several feet in one year.

[TalBlack]

I think I read that the bike phot was in fact faked but the gravestone photo is a common occurence here in the big NYC cemeteries. Granite with polish and raised letter like that one go back 160 yrs or more. In Baron Hirsch cemetery on Staten Isl you can see stones high up in the branches of trees.

[gnarledmaw]

Somebody chucked that bike up there. Trees dont grow up despite the way we tend to describe it. Trees grow out and the wood that is 1 foot above the surface is still at 1 foot even 100 years later when the tree is 100ft tall. There doesnt have to have been a split, just a branch to hold it in place and the branch later broke off and that spot healed over with bark. The forgotten chain is only in the authors imagination.