Trees of Greyhawk

The Trees of Greyhawk

These trees are slender until after many decades of growth. The average size is 40 ft. with branches growing at 45 degree angles from the trunk. The bark is a reddish-brown and hard. Leaves are narrow and toothed, from eight to ten inches long. The wood of this tree is heavy and hard, so that only experts can work it properly. If it is carefully seasoned and especially dried, the outer part will become as hard as metal, while the overall weight of the wood is unchanged.

These are massive hardwoods often 15 ft. in diameter and over 100 ft. tall. They have thick, strong branches that grow almost parallel to the ground. The leaves of the tree are nearly round and grow in thick clumps. On a mature deklo, leaves will be over 1 ft. in diameter. These trees tend to grow in groves, excluding other forms of vegetation.

These fruit-bearing trees are 30' or so in height. The bark is yellowish and the leaves are yellow-green. In early spring the tree produces whitish, cone-shaped fruit which ripens to gold-streaked maturity in early summer. Galdas are somewhat astringent and salty to the palate, but the fruit is both refreshing and nutritious, as it's multiple seeds are high in protein.

These trees are also large fruit trees. Karas grow to a height of 40' or more, have rough bark, and their branches and leaves produce an irritating resin which causes itching. Kara produce fruit throughout the entire summer. This fruit is light brown in color; spots of yellow indicate the fruit is new, red spots indicate full ripening. Karafruit is about fist-sized and oddly-squarish. Unripe, they are putrid-tasting and cause severe cramps if consumed. Ripe fruit is chewy and somewhat sweet. It provides a staple in the diet of many people.

This beautiful hardwood is about the size and shape of a small elm. It's trunk and branches usually are very straight, with black bark. Leaves are long and pointed, resembling the broad blade of a spear. If properly treated and seasoned by an expert, hornwood becomes especially strong and resilient. Weapons, especially bows, made of hornwood are much desired.

Ipp trees are among the largest known. They average 60 ft. or more in height and have thick trunks. The ipt, a species of ipp, is larger still, and is a favorite of Sylvan Elves. Ipp trees have greenish bark and large hand-shaped leaves of emerald green. These trees will live for centuries and are seldom attacked by insects or disease.

These trees are similar to oaks, except their bark is quite shaggy and the leaves are twice as broad as they are long. The wood of a phost gives off a soft glow when it has been dead a year or so. This radiance is sufficient to light a 5ft radius around a branch or rotting phostwood trunk. Rough handling or exposure to dampness hastens the rotting process, so that the wood will crumble away in a few months.

These trees are similar to sequoias, except that the branches are closer to the ground (30' or so) and far larger, for the roanwood is a hardwood. As the name implies, the bark of the trees is a speckled grey and reddish-brown. Specimens over 150 ft. tall have been reported. Roanwoods have fan-shaped leaves about 1 ft. long. The wood and grain of the trees are such that it is used for fine furniture, interiors, or carving. Where hardness and strength are desired, hickory, bronzewood, oak and like woods are typically used.

These evergreens are found in the Northern regions. The trees are short and have thick trunks for their size. Their branches make excellent arrow shafts. The trees forested in cold months have the finest grain, and if they are treated with oil, the wood becomes a lustrous black.

Usk trees are very thick, tall hardwoods with huge oblong leaves and an edible fruit which is loved by most creatures. Typical specimens of usk are 8 to 9 feet in diameter and 50 to 60 feet tall. The tree is similar to a maple in shape. The huge leaves are tough and flexible, so they can be used for many purposes. Uskfruit appears in early summer and stays until frost. It is pale blue with three or four lobes. A ripe uskfruit is about the size of a large grapefruit, bright blue, and aromatic.

The yarpick is also commonly known as the daggerthorn. It is a shortish, sturdy tree with low, spreading branches and broad, fringed leaves. It's trunk has relatively small, exceedingly sharp thorns about one-half foot long. Thorns on it's larger branches can be awesome, the largest growing to over two feet in length and as thick as a finger at the base. Yarpick thorns are tough and straight and have been used as weapons or weapon components. The mature tree bears small fruit which is not useful, but the inner seed is quite good when cracked as if a nut. Cultivated yarpick "nuts" are as large as plums and very wholesome and nourishing. The meat is eaten roasted or ground into meal.

The more common trees of every imaginable kind can also be found in Greyhawk, but the scholars felt these few trees of note should be well explained to you.

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