Sky Tree

Sky Trees are tall trees with white leaves. They are a fairly common sight near the Alvil Forest, as they can be seen from afar. Despite that, they are considered quite rare as there are less than a hundred known to exist, all of them in the Alvil Forest.

Origin

During The Second Conflict of the Gods, it is widely believed that Colibri, Goddess of Healing and Nature, sent a meteor into a lake, to save Alvil Forest from an out of control forest fire. The meteor destroyed the lake, and left a crafter now known as The Crater of Life.
The first Sky Tree is said to sprout from the center of the crater. Although the crater is mostly barren, there is a sky tree growing in the middle. It is not as large as other sky trees, which has lead to doubts about whether it is in fact the first sky tree.

Basic Information

Anatomy

A Sky tree is a very tall tree, with a solid trunk. The crown tends to be slightly flat, and on the older sky trees, the crown spread easily exceeds 100 meters. There are few to none branches on the trunk. Especially older trees that have outgrown the surrounding trees tend to lose their lower branches over time.
Trees that have outgrown the surrounding trees seem to slow down their upwards growth but instead start spreading their crown. Some believe that the trees do this to protect the smaller trees around them, and although it may block some trees off from the sun, it does not seem to have an adverse effect on those trees.

Genetics and Reproduction

No one really knows how the Sky Tree has spread through Alvil Forest. There are no sign of any kind of seeds, the trees simply seem to start growing from the ground.
The most common explanation is that some divine entity, likely Colibri somehow influences Alvil Forest.
Another, darker theory, is that the Sky Tree is one colossal tree or plant that is interconnected throughout the ground, slowly spreading, and infesting the forest, to eventually block out the sun across the entire forest, killing off all the other trees.

Growth Rate & Stages

The sky tree's growth varies depending on its surroundings. Although there haven't been many trees to observe, it seems that the Sky Tree tries to outgrow its surrounding trees as fast as possible, and once done, it will start growing its crown, so it spreads out and covers the surrounding trees. The youngest trees in Alvil Forest have been seen growing as much as two meters in a year.

Biological Cycle

Apart from the change in growth patterns, there are no discernable patterns to its life cycle. Even throughout winter and The Kilzegvi it does not shed its leaves. If for any reason, a Sky Tree loses any of its leaves, they tend to grow back within weeks.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

It is rumored that the sap of a Sky tree has healing properties, but no one really knows. They have protective status, both in Erekiath and Sylvania. Especially inhabitants of Alvil Forest protects them fiercely.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

The Sky tree is only seen in Alvil Forest. Due to their size, they are a common sight for travelers in the southern part of Erekiath, as such, they are not an uncommon sight, although they are likely the rarest tree in the world.

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

Sky birds tend to build their homes in sky trees, as they prefer tall places. Since sky birds are useful for sending messages, sky trees are often incorporated in common message routes, and a few sky trees are even home to small message posts.

Origin/Ancestry

Divine Powers

Lifespan

Unknown

Conservation Status

Protected by Erekian and Sylvanian law, due to rarity, and religious symbolism.

Average Height

60 meters (Influenced by surrounding trees)

Geographic Distribution

• Alvil Forest