Mysterious lifelines

“Druid tree” now puzzles forest rangers

The "runes" appeared when the bark was removed from the spruce felled by the storm using water pressure.(Bild: Moser Gabriele)

Mysterious "lifelines" have been discovered on the trunk of a Waldviertel spruce tree. A forester is now asking for the help of "Krone" readers. 

Have the signs formed in the trunk due to a freak of nature - or are they even mysterious signals of creation from ancient times that have appeared under the bark? Even experienced forest rangers, who were shown these pictures by the "Krone", cannot agree on this.

The most daring theory - put forward by old villagers from Schönbach in the Zwettl district - is that Celtic runes are manifesting themselves on the trunk.

(Bild: Moser Gabriele)

Even the experienced forest ranger Gerhard Blabensteiner - discoverer of the "druid tree" - is baffled by the natural phenomenon.

I've been out in the forest all my life, but I've never come across a pattern like this before.

Gerhard Blabensteiner, Obmann des Vereins zur Waldförderung

Bild: Polizei, Krone KREATIV

"From a forestry point of view, I have no explanation for it. I once worked for a large timber company where thousands of logs passed through my hands," says the forester, who made the uncanny discovery while barking, asking for expert help from Krone readers. In any case, the rare piece of tree now has a place of honor on his farm.