Medusa of the Arctic

 

The answer is YES,  in the event that you have ever pondered the  question, "Do trees grow north of the Arctic Circle?"  A few trees do survive including the Spruce and Pine.  Some grow naturally and are indigenous to the area while others are planted by residents.   However, the further north you go above the circle, trees become less dense, sparse and small until there is nothing left by open tundra and the Arctic Ocean.  In most of the arctic circle the ground is  frozen beneath the top layer of soil (permafrost), so trees can't set roots down far enough to prevent from falling over.   Trees have little hope as  harsh bitter winds carry sharp crystals that cut and kill trees as well.  And, there's pretty much no sun half the year.  More or less,  the Arctic Circle is the end of trees.  Those that do survive sure make beautiful photo opportunities. The arctic circle wasn't always a field of tundra,  it was once a dense forest with trees that rose around 120 feet.  Today, some of these trees have been found.   They are not petrified wood or coal,  but still preserved as wood and leaves.   Note the trees by the sign below :).