Gnarliest Putnam County tree sought for publication

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is looking for the strangest trees in the state.

The DNR Forestry division is accepting submissions for its 2012 "Invasion of the Weird Trees" online publication, which identifies the weirdest tree for each county. The list is updated every four years.

Past entries have included trees that swallowed signs, that grew together like conjoined twins, with trunks twisted like a snail shell, that resemble giant octopuses, and trees with exposed root systems that resemble legs.

Entry deadline is April 30.

To submit a tree for the contest, send at least two non-returnable photographs to Sam Carman, DNR Division of Forestry, 402 W. Washington St., Room W296, Indianapolis, IN 46204.

Digital photos also can be emailed to scarman@dnr.IN.gov.

Submissions should include your name, address and phone number and the tree's location.