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Inosculation is a natural phenomenon in which trunks, branches or roots of two grow together in a manner biologically similar to the artificial process of grafting. It customarily results when tree limbs are braided or Pleaching. The branches first grow separately in proximity to each other until they touch. At this point, the bark on the touching surfaces is gradually abraded away as the trees move in the wind. Once the Vascular cambium of two trees touches, they sometimes self-graft and grow together as they expand in diameter.
In forestry gemels (from the Latin word for "a pair") are trees that have undergone the process. Inosculation can happen across related species and occurs most commonly for branches of two trees of the same species.
Such trees are often colloquially referred to as "husband and wife" trees, or "marriage trees". The straightforward application of the term comes from the obvious unification of two separate individual trees, although a more humorous use of the term relates to the sexually suggestive appearance of some natural examples. There may be a degree of religious intent, as some cults are organized around beliefs that trees contain a hidden or sacred power to cure or to enhance fertility, or that they contain the souls of ancestors or of the unborn. Tree-marriage, Encyclopædia Britannica, accessed 3 August 2023
On the way to the Heavenly Lake near Urumqi in China are a pair of trees that local people have called the Husband and Wife trees because they are connected by a living branch. Married couple trees archived from www.silkroadcn.com, accessed 3 August 2023 The Tatajia Husband and Wife trees are in Taiwan and in Yakushima, Kagoshima-ken, Japan, are a pair of Husband and Wife trees formed from conjoined cedars. Husband and wife trees, Trail to Jomon cedar, Yakushima, Kagoshima-ken, Japan Conjoined cedars, www.reggie.net, accessed 3 August 2023
In Lambeg, Co. Down, slightly north of Wolfenden's Bridge, stand two beech trees (see 'Gallery') at the entrance to Chrome Hill, on the Lambeg to Ballyskeagh road. In the late 18th century, John Wesley was staying at Chrome Hill and decided to weave together two young beech trees to act as a symbol of unity between the Methodist Church and the Church of Ireland.
At Doonholm near Ayr an ancient sycamore maple ( Acer pseudoplatanus) was famous for the multiple fusion of its boughs that gave it a unique appearance and greatly strengthened it.
==Gallery==
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