View source for Notes on the Mineral Bearing Trees (book)

<center>'''Notes on the Mineral Bearing Trees'''</center>
<center>By</center>
<center>[[Moonshadow]] Palantiri</center>
<br/><br/>

Among the many fair trees of our world, perhaps the rarest and
most valued are the various species of mineral-bearing trees that
can be found from time to time.
<br/><br/>
Known in the vernacular by their content, we see such trees as
Silverwood, Goldbark and Copperleaf.  Many others are hinted at
by rumor or traveller's tale as well.
<br/><br/>
The phenomenon resulting in such trees is not unknown in the
plant world but has not usually been seen in this form.  Many
plants are known to extract substances from the soil and rock
that they either need or that they wish to filter out as
unhealthy to themselves.  The saltbush for example, that thrives
in estuaries, excretes excess salt from the ground in crusty
deposits on the underside of its leaves is only one such example.
<br/><br/>
But still, this does not explain the reason for the mineral
trees' existence.  The metals and such they accrue seem to serve
no real purpose in terms of natural survival in many cases. 
Though it has been argued that, at least in the case of the
Goldbark tree, the thin gold layers in the bark serve to protect
the tree from extremes of heat and fire but this remains
unproven.
<br/><br/>
The theory I put forth and subscribe to is the trees are not a
natural phenomenon at all.  But rather are left-overs from some
vanished culture of scientists and tinkerers with nature.
<br/><br/>
It is my hypothesis that these trees and related growths are
remnants of the semi-legendary Lost Empire, rumors of which
constantly float about our world.
<br/><br/>
While little is known of their technological skills, the many
stories, tales and fables of that vanished era point to a time
when mighty wizards could and did bend nature to their whims in
many ways we might now deem wondrous or even dangerous.
<br/><br/>
Given the modern Elves' skills with Life-sculpting, it is no
stretch to imagine an older time with a society of Elves perhaps
who are more inclined to the realms of thought than is now
current.  A time perhaps when Elves combined their skills at
manipulating growing life with the purer sciences. 
<br/><br/>
We must indeed, perforce, assume a long perspective on these
growths.  The Silverwood tree for example, takes at least one
thousand years to reach a harvestable size and the Goldbarks
seems to take even longer.
<br/><br/>
This further argues for Elvish involvement since they possess the
lifespans and the outlook needed to regard a planting that needs
a millennium to harvest as practical.
<br/><br/>
Elotheans such as myself of course, have such a long-lived
perspective but we are concerned more with the realms of thought. 
It is for others to get down among the mold and forest dirt to
play with making things grow. 
<br/><br/>
I will list here the known species of mineral-bearing flora for
the education of those new to this subject.  Others may be found,
so this is by no means a definitive listing.
<br/><br/>
<u>Silverwood</u> - Famed for the veins of fine silver that permeate the
wood. Properly cut and polished, the wood and silver form a
harmonious blend of colors and textures highly sought after for
furniture and decor.  Silverwood is also reputed to have some
useful effect against spells when used as a shield but no
definitive work on this has been done.
<br/><br/>
<u>Goldbark</u> -  A tree with a coarse-appearing shaggy bark.  When the
bark is removed and carefully cut open, it will often be found to
contain fine sheets of gold leaf in many layers.  This is highly
prized by artisans for gilding work and the bark itself is
sometimes used in decorative ways. 
<br/><br/>
<u>Copperleaf</u> - A wide-spreading tree with an unusual feature.  The
leaves secrete copper onto their surfaces during the fall season.
This causes a most spectacular color change as it oxidizes.  The
trees also when found in groves sometimes make a form of music as
the metallic leaves strike each other they sometimes generate a
soft tinkling sound like wind chimes. 
<br/><br/>
<u>Ironwood</u> -  A solid and heavy tree with tall straight trunks that
can become extremely thick.  This tree infuses iron crystals into
the substance of itself especially into the heartwood deep
inside.
<br/><br/>
This makes the tree extremely strong and sturdy.  Many a woodsman
has found a bit too late such a tree when his axe blunts itself
after two or three strokes.
<br/><br/>
There is rumored to be a grove of such trees that rise over 500
feet tall but no substantiation has yet been found.
<br/><br/>
Those who can afford the high cost use these trees for ship's
masts or for building fortifications as the wood retains its
incredible strength after being cut down due to the iron being
encapsulated by the hardening tree sap and thus being protected
from rust.
<br/><br/>
In the realm of rumor or wild traveller's tales are Diamond Oaks,
Crystaltrees, metalwire bush and the (reputedly) dangerous
Sunburner plant that is rumored to use reflective petals to focus
the sun's light on predators to the point of ignition, if such a
tale can be believed.
<br/><br/>
One should take final note of one of the more pleasant whimsies
of these legends: the Singing Bell plant, alleged to form tiny
bells of silver or similar metals that tinkle and chime in the
slightest breeze.  Such a curiosity would fetch a princely sum
from any collector of curios or rare plants, let alone anyone
with a fancy for something unique in their gardens.  As for me, I
will believe they exist when I see one.
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