Do you ever see shapes in tree trunks? Are these just random shapes that our mind interprets as meaningful images, a psychological phenomenon called, pareidolia? Or is it possible that trees are creating art or maybe sending us signs? Who can say for sure? Here are some examples I’ve seen recently in my neighborhood…
What do you see?
The hemlock below is one I’ve shared before, but I had not noticed the gnarly face until recently. The face in the photo on the right reminds me of an alien wizard type character I’ve seen somewhere before, but I can’t quite place it.
The eyes in the face I see are set far apart like a turtle. The mustache reminds me of the owl in the Secret of NIMH. My husband sort of sees a grumbly face, but he also sees a person’s body emerging from the tree with my “mustache” as legs.
Many dogwoods in my area have succumbed to a disease. I’m still in denial about my dogwood being dead as a tall evergreen shrub nearby hides its bare branches. My neighbor’s deceased dogwood stood alone and was clearly not coming back from the dead, so she had it cut down. Here’s a heart that could not be seen until after the tree was cut.
What signs have you seen from trees?
Thursday Tree Love is hosted by Parul Thakur on the second and fourth Thursday of each month. For more tree love, visit Parul’s blog here.
Anything is Possible! 
October 14, 2021 at 12:53 pm
Your neighbor’s dogwood tree appears to have died from a broken heart 😦
October 14, 2021 at 8:10 pm
Aw. 😦 Maybe. There’s been some kind of blight or disease killing dogwoods here.
October 14, 2021 at 3:15 pm
I see two faces and a bird with face on the top one.
October 14, 2021 at 8:12 pm
Aw yes! A bird with a face! Good connection.
October 14, 2021 at 7:29 pm
Once you see a face or sign, you can’t un-see it! I do this all the time. Thanks for this post, JoAnna.
October 14, 2021 at 8:21 pm
That’s true. It’s interesting to try to see something different someone else sees. Glad you like the post.
October 15, 2021 at 1:38 am
Interesting point of view JoAnna! Yes, one can ‘see’ images in tree trunks especially old gnarled ones. I love the heart in the tree!
October 15, 2021 at 9:43 pm
The tree that left the heart was dead for a year or two before my neighbor had it cut down, yet the heart remains.
October 15, 2021 at 3:54 am
That first set of faces must have inspired Picasso.
October 15, 2021 at 9:47 pm
They do remind me of Picasso! Good insight, Derrick!
October 16, 2021 at 3:37 am
🙂
October 15, 2021 at 8:45 am
Trees are indeed artistic, and quite innate ones at it. My mind perceived a fairy as well as an archer on the trunks. The beauty is in the eyes of the beholder!
October 15, 2021 at 9:48 pm
Thank you for adding your beautiful perspectives!
October 16, 2021 at 10:37 am
Fascinating, JoAnna! ❤ I find patterns everywhere, in the floor tiles, clouds, oil slick on a puddle…So sorry that dogwoods are dying. They are so emblematic of spring! Hope the problem can be resolved.
October 16, 2021 at 9:24 pm
Thanks, Cheryl. I used to see patterns in the bathroom paneling. I took a photos and made a sketch of them before our renovations. Now I see patterns in the shower tile, and of course clouds. My husband doesn’t see these things, but he has a lot of practical skills.
October 16, 2021 at 5:31 pm
I think we are seeing what our imagination processes from shapes, like we do as children (or even adults!) when we look at clouds. I read up on the dogwood blight – I don’t think I’ve seen it locally but it sounds terrible. Korean dogwoods (which are popular where I live) seem to have a resistance to it. I do think your dogwood died of a broken heart! Alana ramblinwitham
October 17, 2021 at 10:55 pm
Thank you for looking up the dogwood blight. Good to know that the Korean dogwoods are doing better. We still have a few that are resistant here.
October 18, 2021 at 7:38 pm
These are natural public art…beautiful 👍🏼
October 18, 2021 at 11:10 pm
Yes! I like that perspective of natural public art! You get it!
October 18, 2021 at 11:48 pm
💛💚
October 27, 2021 at 10:38 am
That’s art and yes I see faces and shapes all the time. It’s fun trying to figure that out. I also do that with clouds often. Thanks for joining, JoAnna. I hope to see you back tomorrow.
October 27, 2021 at 11:43 pm
Thanks, Parul. See you tomorrow!
October 27, 2021 at 9:13 pm
aw….that heart in the dogwood is quite poignant! I do hope they find out what the issue is and remedy it……always so sad to hear of trees dying.
October 28, 2021 at 9:33 am
Thank you for your sweet caring, Cath. We do have some dogwoods that are doing okay.
October 29, 2021 at 8:59 pm
Good to know 😊
October 27, 2021 at 11:54 pm
Hemlock! I only know hemlock as a small plant I was taught not to touch when I was very little! It is a weed here, so I never knew it could be a tree. That’s why I love Thursday Tree posts! Thanks!
October 28, 2021 at 9:37 am
Thursday tree love is full of beauty information. When I looked up hemlocks, I found there are many different types of all shapes and sizes.