While looking at some storm damage a few weeks ago I happened upon this pear. Like many pears it was cursed with multiple co-dominate stems that tore from the tree during high winds and rain. While there is nothing special about a flowering pear breaking in a storm event, what's cool about this tree is what was exposed after the tree failed. The limbs that failed pealed down the trunk to expose branches pruned in the past.
This pear offered a rare glimpse of how trees create new wood around the stem and branches, from the inside. If only we could dissect some more pears for the greater good, enjoy the pictures below.
 |
| You can clearly see the remnants of past pruning. |
 |
| Another view of past pruning wounds exposed when a portion of this tree failed. |
