Faux de Verzy, Dwarf beech forest in Verzy, France
Faux de Verzy is a forest containing roughly one thousand dwarf beech trees that reach only four to five meters in height with distinctly twisted trunks and branches. These trees grow in a concentrated area on gently rolling ground, displaying the unusual growth pattern throughout the woodland.
Written accounts from the 6th century first documented these trees near the Abbey of Saint-Basle, where monks may have influenced their spread and development. Over time, they became an established feature tied to the region's identity.
Local residents call these trees "Faux," a name passed down through families for generations. The twisted shapes have long inspired artists and writers who felt something mysterious about their appearance.
The forest features marked walking paths and protective barriers that allow observation of the trees while safeguarding their delicate root systems. It is best to stay on the designated trails and move carefully through the woodland.
These trees can live longer than 350 years and possess the unusual ability to fuse branches together and generate new growth from aerial roots. Such biological oddities have drawn the attention of researchers and botanists studying their growth patterns.
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