Shown here are 8 of the 17 branch holes that dot the flanks of this one cedar tree from ground to head height. The entire outer form of the tree is intact, while the inner dead wood core of the tree was hollowed out by decay over decades and then by the recent fire. Our theory is that long ago branches close to the ground were lost, facilitating decomposition of wood in the core of the tree. Scar tissue ringed the branch holes, which then provided access for fire to enter the hollow core of the tree and permitting it to function as a chimney. The fire revealed the intricate details of these forms.