The Crooked Bush of Saskatchewan, Crooked Trees, or Twisted Trees, and the Crooked Trees of Alticane are a grove of deformed trembling aspen trees of type Populus tremuloides Michx in Saskatchewan, Canada. They usually reach this height after 15 years. Crooked Bush is found approximately 20 km north-northwest of the town of Hafford, Saskatchewan, and 5 km southwest of Alicante. These trees are noticeably different from the untwisted aspens just across the road.
Therefore, explanations have been offered, which include a variety of paranormal factors. Though cuttings from these trees exhibit the same pattern of twisted growth, this means that the cause is rooted in genetics, possibly the result of a mutation. Thus, the trees’ strange appearance was observed in the 1940s and attracted tourists for many decades. However, the proliferation of websites and blogs that mention them generates a lot of hype.
A wooden walkway was constructed through the grove to keep visitors from trampling any new growth. Since the deformity is probable genetic and aspens spread by root suckers, it is likely that all the crooked trees in the grove are clones that originated from a single mutated tree. The grove is at present bounded on all sides by the grid road and a perimeter access road, so the size of the grove is static and is unlikely to continue spreading.
The grove can be seen in the 1957 Disney true-life adventure-fantasy film Perri. This area is considered a natural treasure, so be within limits and don’t climb the trees, break branches, litter, or leave the boardwalk. This will support the area and ensure that it remains intact for years to come. The average height of crooked trees is 15 to 20 feet and 75 years old.
Different theories are popular about how it came to be. Some legends believe there is something in the soil—some contaminants that came when a meteorite crashed into the area. However, some believe it was a lightning strike.
What is truly fascinating is the fact that the trees are growing at a normal rate. Their branches are just growing in every direction other than straight up. While the trail is rather short, it features a wooden boardwalk and is an awesome destination for people of all ages and abilities. Summer is a perfect time to visit, as new leaves are sprouting.
A picnic bench is installed there to relish the food, and there is no hiking location. There are different kinds of bird species that live in that area, which offers relaxing nature music. Rick Simmonds, the owner of this property, upon which the crooked cluster of trees sits, says that this place is visited by more than five thousand visitors each year, and numbers are growing every year. So, it is very imperative for people to understand and realize the uniqueness of the crooked bush of Saskatchewan to preserve, and there isn’t another bush like this.
