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I have seen a double tree twisted inwards on the sides facing the morning sun. 
My idea is the twist is caused by the tree drawing towards the sun, and this idea seems to be borne 
out by the trees in the Northern Hemisphere being twisted in the opposite way. 
To account for the tree with a left-hand twist, growing as it always does (in my experience,) side by 
side with others of the opposite twist, it may be that this tree was only exposed during its growing period 
to the direct sun in the afternoon—that is, being completely shaded by larger trees on all sides except 
south-west. 
Some Grey Gums have alternate layers about 1 inch or more thick, evei’y other one, with an 
opposite twist. In these cases the twist each way sometimes amounts to one turn in 3 feet in a tree 
18 inches diameter. 
This last appears to disprove the sun theory, but I mention it so as not to convey a wrong 
impression. 
W. N. G-really-Hincksman, in Sydney Morning Herald, 15th April, 1908:— 
Re remarks by “Native” (Mulgoa), in your issue of 10th instant, in which he ascribes the right- 
hand twist of grain in timber to the action of the wind, “ Native” may be right as far as he goes ; but I 
also take into consideration the fact of the sun’s paramount influence over all vegetation, and the fact of 
the sun passing from right to left of each sapling daily on the northern side, would have the effect of 
giving a pronounced right-hand twist to any growth which happened to have any tendency that way owing 
to uneven distribution of foliage. 
J. Marsh, Eugowra, Lachlan River, 14th April, 1908:— 
I have noticed that a large majority of trees twist to the right , or in other words, the twist follows 
with the travelling sun. An old experienced bushman first drew my attention to the phenomenon when a 
boy, and becoming interested, I soon found that he was correct. You will find White and Yellow Box, 
Stringybark, Lachlan Pine, Spotted Gum, and other timbers, the majority with the twist to the right. Some 
of these timbers when drying will untwist, and the Lachlan Pine is most remarkable for this. I have 
repeatedly observed that green Pine posts or rafters (in the round) as they become dry untwist so much 
so that the nail has been drawn out of the wood to which they had been nailed to. Whatever is the 
cause of the trees twisting to the right I have never heard explained, and Dr. Bell’s article has been the 
first that I have noticed dealing with the subject, and he tells us that in Canada the trees twist to the 
left. Several old bushmen whom I have inquired from could not give any tangible reason, excepting one, 
and he believed the sun had some influence with the twisting. One point I have noticed frequently in 
splitting timber, and that is, that the wood is more brittle and splits easier on its south side. This occurs 
no doubt through the sun not having its full power focused on that portion of the tree. 
A. E. Watt, Glanmire, near Bathurst, loth June, 1908 :— 
My informant states that with rare exceptions all the timber in the district—in which there is a 
twist—makes the turn similar to an ordinary screw, taking the butt of the tree as being the head of the 
screw ; in other words, the twist rises from left to right , in looking at the tree as it stands. 
As to the reason for this twist, which is very pronounced in some instances, but not confined to 
any particular class of timber, my informant could offer no suggestion; he was merely acquainted with 
the fact. 
I cannot think that this twist can be produced by wind in this district, as our prevailing winds 
are all from the one direction, S.W., W., or N.W., and once a tree gets the least bit wind-blown, it is 
impossible for it to come round against this westerly force. 
My own idea is that the twist is produced in some way either by the light or heat of the sun. There 
may possibly be an inclination for the top shoots of a sapling to follow the sun round, as we notice is the 
case with certain flowers, and the least tendency of this kind would of course be ample to account for the 
twist in the grain. 
Nelson Freeborn, Temora, 14th June, 1909, in Australian Agriculturist, of 
1st July :— 
T noticed in the issue of your paper dated 1st May, 1008, a letter from Mr. Maiden drawing 
attention to an inquiry from Dr. Bell, of Canada, asking if Australian timber showed the same twist in 
the grain from left to light as is to be found in Canadian timbers. In this connection I might inform 
