Comments on: Junkyard workers enshrine tree that grew to lift a car http://boingboing.net/2009/06/25/junkyard-workers-ens.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Thu, 23 May 2013 00:41:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/06/25/junkyard-workers-ens.html#comment-527105 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-527105 Re: Condition of car - The Japanese guys almost certainly clean it. Have you been to Japan? Re: Condition of car – The Japanese guys almost certainly clean it. Have you been to Japan?

]]> By: Beanolini http://boingboing.net/2009/06/25/junkyard-workers-ens.html#comment-527617 Beanolini Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-527617 There's a picture of a tree that's grown through and around a motorcycle <a href="http://www.funpic.hu/en.picview.php?id=30361">here</a>. Fungi are the real champions at heavy lifting- I've seen mushrooms lift paving slabs, and punch directly through tarmac. There’s a picture of a tree that’s grown through and around a motorcycle here.

Fungi are the real champions at heavy lifting- I’ve seen mushrooms lift paving slabs, and punch directly through tarmac.

]]> By: SKR http://boingboing.net/2009/06/25/junkyard-workers-ens.html#comment-527123 SKR Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-527123 Since many people have already explained how trees grow and how it is not possible for a tree to lift a car in the manner of the amusing animation, I will not repeat that critique. Upon viewing the video it is apparent that there was a pile of junk around the tree, and that the tree grew into that junk. As others have pointed out, the car looks to be in astonishingly good condition considering its predicament. Looking at the tree, it appears to have recently undergone heavy pruning. The tree does not appear to have been pollarded continuously as the scaffolding limbs do not exhibit clubbing. From this is seems to me that they had a tree which grew up through a pile of junk. When the pile of junk was removed, they had a tree with a bunch of junk sticking out of it, which really isn't that exciting. Someone may have suggested that it would be much more humorous if there were a car in the tree. Being a junkyard, this wasn't really a difficult proposition except that there were some big pesky branches in the way. Those were removed and the car placed in the tree. Now of course this just looked like a car that had been placed in the tree, so they gave it a few months (since the heavy pruning cuts do not appear to have healed significantly) for the dormant buds to sprout some new growth. That is just my guess. Since many people have already explained how trees grow and how it is not possible for a tree to lift a car in the manner of the amusing animation, I will not repeat that critique. Upon viewing the video it is apparent that there was a pile of junk around the tree, and that the tree grew into that junk. As others have pointed out, the car looks to be in astonishingly good condition considering its predicament. Looking at the tree, it appears to have recently undergone heavy pruning. The tree does not appear to have been pollarded continuously as the scaffolding limbs do not exhibit clubbing. From this is seems to me that they had a tree which grew up through a pile of junk. When the pile of junk was removed, they had a tree with a bunch of junk sticking out of it, which really isn’t that exciting. Someone may have suggested that it would be much more humorous if there were a car in the tree. Being a junkyard, this wasn’t really a difficult proposition except that there were some big pesky branches in the way. Those were removed and the car placed in the tree. Now of course this just looked like a car that had been placed in the tree, so they gave it a few months (since the heavy pruning cuts do not appear to have healed significantly) for the dormant buds to sprout some new growth. That is just my guess.

]]> By: forgeweld http://boingboing.net/2009/06/25/junkyard-workers-ens.html#comment-526872 forgeweld Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-526872 Fake? Yeah, and it's crazy how they wedged those car doors into the growing branches. It is a real phenomenon and opens up glorious new worlds in topiary. Think of all the great junk that could become part of a living sculpture. I'm planting my TV tree today. The animation at 1:25 in the video is terrific. Fake? Yeah, and it’s crazy how they wedged those car doors into the growing branches. It is a real phenomenon and opens up glorious new worlds in topiary. Think of all the great junk that could become part of a living sculpture. I’m planting my TV tree today. The animation at 1:25 in the video is terrific.

]]> By: Brainspore http://boingboing.net/2009/06/25/junkyard-workers-ens.html#comment-527134 Brainspore Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-527134 You're all ignoring the simplest explanation: what we are witnessing here is simply an Ent doing exercises. When he completes this set in another 300 years or so I'm sure he'll set the car back down where he found it. You’re all ignoring the simplest explanation: what we are witnessing here is simply an Ent doing exercises. When he completes this set in another 300 years or so I’m sure he’ll set the car back down where he found it.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/06/25/junkyard-workers-ens.html#comment-527663 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-527663 This is a hackberry tree. You find them growing quite happily in some incredibly rocky territory. They tend to grow in cracks and clefts in cliffs and boulders with no real problem. One growing at the bottom of a pile of cars in a junkyard doesn't seem unlikely at all. They're incredibly hardy. I, for one, welcome our deciduous car-hefting overlords. This is a hackberry tree. You find them growing quite happily in some incredibly rocky territory. They tend to grow in cracks and clefts in cliffs and boulders with no real problem. One growing at the bottom of a pile of cars in a junkyard doesn’t seem unlikely at all. They’re incredibly hardy.

I, for one, welcome our deciduous car-hefting overlords.

]]> By: Mojave http://boingboing.net/2009/06/25/junkyard-workers-ens.html#comment-526903 Mojave Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-526903 Awesome. Kind of a preview for what large parts of this planet will look like years from now, after all of us naked apes have gone the way of the Dodo. Awesome. Kind of a preview for what large parts of this planet will look like years from now, after all of us naked apes have gone the way of the Dodo.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/06/25/junkyard-workers-ens.html#comment-527168 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-527168 One good kudzu plant could completely obliterate the tree and the car in a three day weekend. One good kudzu plant could completely obliterate the tree and the car in a three day weekend.

]]> By: adamnvillani http://boingboing.net/2009/06/25/junkyard-workers-ens.html#comment-527957 adamnvillani Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-527957 <i>Maybe this is bias from my Canadian heritage, but I would expect a lot more rust on that car. </i> The amount of rust you will see on cars varies quite a bit depending on where you are. Here in Southern California I almost never see rust on cars, even old ones. We don't get much rain, no snow, and most importantly, no salt on the roads. My Japanese isn't very good anymore, but I think they said this was in Saitama prefecture, which is just north of Tokyo. I think they get some snow in the winter, but not anywhere near as much as most of Canada. Maybe this is bias from my Canadian heritage, but I would expect a lot more rust on that car.

The amount of rust you will see on cars varies quite a bit depending on where you are. Here in Southern California I almost never see rust on cars, even old ones. We don’t get much rain, no snow, and most importantly, no salt on the roads.

My Japanese isn’t very good anymore, but I think they said this was in Saitama prefecture, which is just north of Tokyo. I think they get some snow in the winter, but not anywhere near as much as most of Canada.

]]> By: pAULbOWEN http://boingboing.net/2009/06/25/junkyard-workers-ens.html#comment-526942 pAULbOWEN Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-526942 I don't know whether this is a fake or not (I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it's a really Wonderful Thing) but I must ask Coop and Cedehi: a) how did you arrive at your respective conclusions that the car is in "pretty damn good" and "good mechanical" condition, and b) do you want to buy a car? I don’t know whether this is a fake or not (I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it’s a really Wonderful Thing) but I must ask Coop and Cedehi:

a) how did you arrive at your respective conclusions that the car is in “pretty damn good” and “good mechanical” condition, and

b) do you want to buy a car?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/06/25/junkyard-workers-ens.html#comment-536670 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-536670 Tree eats early model TRANSFORMER! Tree eats early model TRANSFORMER!

]]> By: pAULbOWEN http://boingboing.net/2009/06/25/junkyard-workers-ens.html#comment-526947 pAULbOWEN Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-526947 @Mojave: yes indeed. This is the second recent boingboing post that's reminded me of Peace In The Valley Once Again by the Handsome Family. The other one was the 'coon hunter of Detroit. @Mojave: yes indeed. This is the second recent boingboing post that’s reminded me of Peace In The Valley Once Again by the Handsome Family. The other one was the ‘coon hunter of Detroit.

]]> By: pAULbOWEN http://boingboing.net/2009/06/25/junkyard-workers-ens.html#comment-527207 pAULbOWEN Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-527207 Coop: <blockquote> re my guess as to the car's condition.... it looks to be in better shape (rust wise) than my 5 year old car, but as was previously noted, that may be a Canadian bias. I suggest that Cedeih and I visit, investigate and report back to everyone if you sponsor our trip. Are you with me Cedeih?</blockquote> 1. Buy a Merc 2. I'm in for $5 Coop:

re my guess as to the car’s condition…. it looks to be in better shape (rust wise) than my 5 year old car, but as was previously noted, that may be a Canadian bias.
I suggest that Cedeih and I visit, investigate and report back to everyone if you sponsor our trip. Are you with me Cedeih?

1. Buy a Merc

2. I’m in for $5

]]> By: coop http://boingboing.net/2009/06/25/junkyard-workers-ens.html#comment-527209 coop Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-527209 @27 - I'm in, Boingers, you gonna pony up? (oh, no - that would be a Korean car (rim shot)) @30 - Yep, was there 6 months ago. ;-) @31 - This is probably the answer, but only if Cedhei and I go and look at will we know for sure. @32 - But I like this answer the best! coop @27 – I’m in, Boingers, you gonna pony up? (oh, no – that would be a Korean car (rim shot))

@30 – Yep, was there 6 months ago. ;-)

@31 – This is probably the answer, but only if Cedhei and I go and look at will we know for sure.

@32 – But I like this answer the best!

coop

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/06/25/junkyard-workers-ens.html#comment-526957 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-526957 AGIES - if the car was on top of the tree to begin with it never would have gotten enough sunlight to grow. I say the probability of this being real is very small. AGIES – if the car was on top of the tree to begin with it never would have gotten enough sunlight to grow.

I say the probability of this being real is very small.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/06/25/junkyard-workers-ens.html#comment-526958 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-526958 Maybe given the right care and enough time, (25 years is a while), and the right support, a tree could totally lift a car! Maybe given the right care and enough time, (25 years is a while), and the right support, a tree could totally lift a car!

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/06/25/junkyard-workers-ens.html#comment-526967 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-526967 Nice rims Nice rims

]]> By: forgeweld http://boingboing.net/2009/06/25/junkyard-workers-ens.html#comment-526972 forgeweld Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-526972 For the super visual sleuths who say it must be fake, does the position of the car look stable if it wasn't held by the tree which has grown around it? If you watch the video, it's quite convincing. For the super visual sleuths who say it must be fake, does the position of the car look stable if it wasn’t held by the tree which has grown around it?

If you watch the video, it’s quite convincing.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/06/25/junkyard-workers-ens.html#comment-526973 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-526973 Trees grow taller from growth at the top. There is only an insignificant amount height gained due to growth at the bottom. Trees grow taller because of cell division at the tips of the branches. The diameter of the trees trunk and woody parts increases because of cell division in a layer between the bark and wood called the cambium. This is how the tree forms growth rings. A fence post nailed to a tree will remain at the same height but will be pushed outward. Ref http://learningstore.uwex.edu/pdf/G3277.pdf Trees grow taller from growth at the top. There is only an insignificant amount height gained due to growth at the bottom. Trees grow taller because of cell division at the tips of the branches. The diameter of the trees trunk and woody parts increases because of cell division in a layer between the bark and wood called the cambium. This is how the tree forms growth rings.

A fence post nailed to a tree will remain at the same height but will be pushed outward.

Ref http://learningstore.uwex.edu/pdf/G3277.pdf

]]> By: JJR1971 http://boingboing.net/2009/06/25/junkyard-workers-ens.html#comment-526978 JJR1971 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-526978 Coming soon to a piece of Anime background art near you! Coming soon to a piece of Anime background art near you!

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/06/25/junkyard-workers-ens.html#comment-526981 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-526981 Another way it might not be fake is if the tree grew all in the car while the ground underneath the car eroded away. If the erosion was slow enough, the tree would accommodate it while still supporting the tree within its structure. Another way it might not be fake is if the tree grew all in the car while the ground underneath the car eroded away. If the erosion was slow enough, the tree would accommodate it while still supporting the tree within its structure.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/06/25/junkyard-workers-ens.html#comment-526982 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-526982 This is not necessarily fake, but the explanation is wrong. The tree grew through a PILE of junked cars. When the workers removed the surrounding junk, the tree held the remaining junk in place, including the car that was on top of the pile. This is not necessarily fake, but the explanation is wrong.
The tree grew through a PILE of junked cars. When the workers removed the surrounding junk, the tree held the remaining junk in place, including the car that was on top of the pile.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/06/25/junkyard-workers-ens.html#comment-527756 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-527756 one: cars in japan aren't the gas guzzling beast we have here so the car is 3/4 the weight and size. two: The people in the junk yard probably keep the car clean. three: yes, a tree can grow to lift a car. Its got all the time in the world to grow strong and around it. A tree can break up concrete thats 6-12 inches thick with measly little roots, you don't think a strong healthy growing tree can't lift a stripped down can in 25 years? learn more about the natural world around you. You might be amazed. -Doc one: cars in japan aren’t the gas guzzling beast we have here so the car is 3/4 the weight and size.

two: The people in the junk yard probably keep the car clean.

three: yes, a tree can grow to lift a car. Its got all the time in the world to grow strong and around it.
A tree can break up concrete thats 6-12 inches thick with measly little roots, you don’t think a strong healthy growing tree can’t lift a stripped down can in 25 years?

learn more about the natural world around you. You might be amazed.

-Doc

]]> By: Cedehi http://boingboing.net/2009/06/25/junkyard-workers-ens.html#comment-526995 Cedehi Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-526995 @PaulBowen a) Maybe this is bias from my Canadian heritage, but I would expect a lot more rust on that car. The right side and the front underside seem to show very little if no rust at all. The left side seems to have been damaged by something other than a growing tree leading to less protection from the elements on that side, but still just a little rust there? The tires are clean too :) b) Nah, I'll drive my 9 year old car until it bursts into flame.. Although I am starting to get a little rust though on my poor Toyota Echo :p I noticed that some elements such as the bike and some (rusted) door panels have been eaten by the tree somewhat. Partial fake ? @ForgeWeld It looks as though the car's front right wheel/frame is preventing the car from sliding down. That could have been rigged, but I'd need visual confirmation on-spot to tell. :p @PaulBowen a) Maybe this is bias from my Canadian heritage, but I would expect a lot more rust on that car. The right side and the front underside seem to show very little if no rust at all. The left side seems to have been damaged by something other than a growing tree leading to less protection from the elements on that side, but still just a little rust there? The tires are clean too :)

b) Nah, I’ll drive my 9 year old car until it bursts into flame.. Although I am starting to get a little rust though on my poor Toyota Echo :p

I noticed that some elements such as the bike and some (rusted) door panels have been eaten by the tree somewhat. Partial fake ?

@ForgeWeld It looks as though the car’s front right wheel/frame is preventing the car from sliding down. That could have been rigged, but I’d need visual confirmation on-spot to tell. :p

]]> By: Schorsch http://boingboing.net/2009/06/25/junkyard-workers-ens.html#comment-527002 Schorsch Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-527002 Mr. Frauenfelder, you are delightfully credulous. Every week, I am absolutely floored by the wonderful world you apparently live in, where trees lift cars, and giant, mythic animals make ski tracks in the high mountain snow. Mr. Frauenfelder, you are delightfully credulous. Every week, I am absolutely floored by the wonderful world you apparently live in, where trees lift cars, and giant, mythic animals make ski tracks in the high mountain snow.

]]> By: Bender http://boingboing.net/2009/06/25/junkyard-workers-ens.html#comment-527004 Bender Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-527004 I believe they placed the car in the tree several years ago, and it has since grown around it. If a tree could really lift something off the ground, wouldn't we be seeing a bit more of this kind of thing? Heck, people could build tree houses on the ground on top of a few seeds if this were true. I believe they placed the car in the tree several years ago, and it has since grown around it.

If a tree could really lift something off the ground, wouldn’t we be seeing a bit more of this kind of thing? Heck, people could build tree houses on the ground on top of a few seeds if this were true.

]]> By: Nword http://boingboing.net/2009/06/25/junkyard-workers-ens.html#comment-527524 Nword Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-527524 It's actually simpler than that, both the car seed and the tree seed were planted together and grew up intertwined. It’s actually simpler than that, both the car seed and the tree seed were planted together and grew up intertwined.

]]> By: webmonkees http://boingboing.net/2009/06/25/junkyard-workers-ens.html#comment-527272 webmonkees Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-527272 Reminded my of my stepbrother's predicament in regards to an old 60's VW Karmann Ghia he been promised as a spare to his project car. The car was his to have, but he didn't act on it right away. Years, even. Meanwhile, a tree had grown through the front end (gas tank, hood missing). The folks wanted to keep the tree. As far as I know, the two are still together. Reminded my of my stepbrother’s predicament in regards to an old 60′s VW Karmann Ghia he been promised as a spare to his project car.

The car was his to have, but he didn’t act on it right away. Years, even.

Meanwhile, a tree had grown through the front end (gas tank, hood missing).

The folks wanted to keep the tree.

As far as I know, the two are still together.

]]> By: IAmBroom http://boingboing.net/2009/06/25/junkyard-workers-ens.html#comment-528306 IAmBroom Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-528306 <b>#6 posted by Agies, June 25, 2009 11:13 AM:</b> <i> Yes, trees grow from the top. But if the car was ontop of the tree to begin with then it would in fact be lifted by the growing tree. Have a little imagination.</i> No one suggested that the car wasn't there long enough to have the tree grow around it; just that tree bases don't rise. Have a little education. #6 posted by Agies, June 25, 2009 11:13 AM:

Yes, trees grow from the top. But if the car was ontop of the tree to begin with then it would in fact be lifted by the growing tree. Have a little imagination.

No one suggested that the car wasn’t there long enough to have the tree grow around it; just that tree bases don’t rise.

Have a little education.

]]> By: IAmBroom http://boingboing.net/2009/06/25/junkyard-workers-ens.html#comment-528308 IAmBroom Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-528308 <b>#40 posted by Beanolini, June 26, 2009 5:36 AM:</b> <i>Fungi are the real champions at heavy lifting- I've seen mushrooms lift paving slabs, and punch directly through tarmac.</i> And yet I've seen artist conks (Ganoderma applanatum) growing <i>around</i> blades of grass without disturbing them. Wonder if the pavement mushroom (Agaricus bitorquis), which is probably the one you've seen lifting slabs, would do that as well... Maybe it's only when they have to fight force from above. Dunno. #40 posted by Beanolini, June 26, 2009 5:36 AM:

Fungi are the real champions at heavy lifting- I’ve seen mushrooms lift paving slabs, and punch directly through tarmac.

And yet I’ve seen artist conks (Ganoderma applanatum) growing around blades of grass without disturbing them.

Wonder if the pavement mushroom (Agaricus bitorquis), which is probably the one you’ve seen lifting slabs, would do that as well… Maybe it’s only when they have to fight force from above. Dunno.

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