Upside Down Tree UBC

Hi,

Does anyone know if the tree on the corner of main library near chamistry has actually been uprooted and planted upside down, of if it just looks like that normally? It's pretty cool either way, but knowing
for sure would be nice.

james

 

You're looking at a Camperdown elm (Ulmus glabra 'Camperdowni').

 

Many years ago I heard a legend at a castle tour in Europe of a case of a king, unable to decide if a man was guilty, decided to let God do the job by planting a tree upside-down. If the tree would grow, the man was proven innocent and would let go, if not he would be put to death. The legend has it, that both survived and the tour guide pointed out the tree to prove it. :)

There are trees, which easily root from branches stuck into the ground, like willows and poplars. It is quite conceivable, that they could also survive the topsi-turvi planting process.

 

The "root-like" growth of the plant on campus occurs just above the graft. It is because of the appearance of the branches that the tree was affectionately given this name.

 

I definitely reckon a willow would work. My brother brought a huge stick home once,planted it in the garden and ended up with a huge tree!