Distorted Trunk Of Tree In Guilin Park With Bark Hosting Roots.

A tree in a park in Guilin shows a very complex tree trunk that surely was not designed by any human being. The tree trunk, branches, and exposed roots, were all covered by the protective layer of bark, eventhough the way the trunk and branches had grown appeared somewhat haphazard. Nature has its own plans to protect its trees to ensure a maximum growth in whatever location a tree might grow. Although the rough looking outer bark of the tree trunk is mainly of dead material it serves the useful purpose of protecting the tree from the weather, and from small pests, but of course not from the woodpecker!

A surprising number of items used by humans are derived from items provided by nature. The bark of a suitable tree trunk can be made into a canoe, the bark can be made into ropes and clothes, and the surface of some tree bark provides a suitable base for paintings and map making. From the bark of some trees are produced a number of consumable products such as medicines, spices and other flavourings, and even hallucinatory chemicals and poisons. Other useful products are cork, tannin, and latex. Some trees are grown specifically for the attractive appearance and or color of their bark.

''''' Bark of Tree Trunks
Among the commercial products made from bark are cork, cinnamon, quinine and aspirin (from the bark of willow trees). The bark of some trees notably oak (Quercus robur) is a source of tannic acid, which is used in tanning. Bark chips generated as a by-product of lumber production, are often used in bark mulch in western North America. Bark is important to the horticultural industry since in shredded form it is used for plants that do not thrive in ordinary soil, such as epiphytes. Src: Wikipedia.com. '''''