I was driving along a road I've never used before when I spotted this lake in the distance with the interesting trees in the foreground. I couldn't resist pulling over to shoot a few pics and I liked this one the best.
A word of explanation is in order I think: French farmers don't like trees at field borders because they suck moisture and nutrients from the soil and the branches create shade, all of which reduces the crop yield; the overhanging branches also make access difficult for the large agricultural machines in use today. They're not allowed to fell the trees however so they cut all the branches except one at the top which is known as a "tire seve" - literally a sap puller - which keeps the tree 'alive'.
As usual the image is SOOC and is part of my ongoing OCOLOY project - you can read more about it in my profile.
Quirky! These are super. If I didn't know better I'd almost think, especially the middle one, they were grafted. Love the clouds...they make the sky look relaxed. The whole scene looks worthy of further investigation.
@maggiemae@rachelwithey@joansmor@seattlite@barb_b@joannakate@btwebb@s4sayer Thank you ladies, a word of explanation is in order I think. French farmers don't like trees at field borders because they suck moisture and nutrients from the soil and the branches create shade, all of which reduces the crop yield. They're not allowed to fell the trees however so they cut all the branches except one at the top which is known as a "tire seve" - literally a sap puller - which keeps the tree 'alive'.
I should take some pictures of our trees in Maine that have the misfortune of growing along side the road and near the utility wires. They are clipped to keep them from taking down the wires or from falling in the road during winter storms. Some have very interesting shapes. Now I have an idea to pursue.
Interesting shot. When I read the explanation, I immediately thought of some of the trees around here, like @joansmor said happens in Maine, that the power company shapes in a most unnatural way. I understand the need for no trees in a field, though. We have a walnut tree at the edge of our yard that has hindered the growth in our garden (when we planted one).
Lovely contrast and very interesting information! We have the same problem in our garden currently. We have two large trees at the corners that are leaching the soil for nutrients and water and creating a shade, so our rose bushes and other small plants are suffering, but we also don't want to cut them because they are beautiful and sustain a huge number of bird and other wildlife!
