Unusual spiral cedar trees in Dover-Foxcroft
DOVER-FOXCROFT — For years Dr. David Frasz and his family have looked at two unusual mature cedar trees by the water on their Sebec Lake property with the bark spiraling around the tree rather than being vertical. A spring windstorm cracked one of the trees and Dr. Frasz recently had it taken down, revealing that the wood grain itself is also twisted.
Dr. Frasz, who for decades has been an ophthalmologist in Dover-Foxcroft, said he showed the trees to a forester and an arborist — both with decades of experience — and each said they have never seen anything like it nor has anyone else to whom he has mentioned the bark and grain spirals.
“The arborist thought maybe it was just trying to follow the sun,” Dr. Frasz said, saying that another possible cause of the spirals could be stress from wind.
SPIRAL BARK AND GRAIN — After a windstorm cracked one of a pair of cedar trees on his Sebec Lake home property, Dr. David Frasz had the tree taken down. This revealed that not just the bark was unusually spiraled but the wood grain was as well.
“This is actually one of the windiest portions of the lake,” he said. Dr. Frasz said one year all the snow on Sebec Lake seemed to funnel onto his property.
“It was like somebody was out there with a leaf blower blowing all that snow this way, so there is a tremendous amount of wind that comes right here,” he said.
“We hated to lose that one because they made a nice pair,” Dr. Frasz said with the two trees both being about 35 feet tall and 18 inches at the base when standing. The cedar pair have been on the property since Dr. Frasz bought the camp lot in 1980, later buying the home next door when it went on the market, and he said the trees may be around 60 years old.
“This one is going to survive, even though it looks like it’s leaning,” he said. “It’s okay, it’s got a lot of roots down there.”
“Cedar doesn’t last forever but it was a beauty while it was there and we still have one,” Dr. Frasz added.
A 14-foot cedar log is currently lying on the grass next to the other tree. Dr. Frasz is looking for someone who might like to purchase it, perhaps to make something out of the spiral-grained wood as specialty lumber. Those interested can contact Dr. Frasz at slowlane79@gmail.com.