Loggers Couldn't Believe What They Found In The Middle Of A Tree

Summary

In 1980, loggers in Georgia discovered a mummified dog inside an American chestnut tree. The unusual find, preserved by the tree's tannic acid, baffled the workers who decided to preserve it. A year later, the Southern Forest World museum took custody, and biological anthropologist Kristina Killgrove studied the mummy, theorizing the dog, likely from the 1960s, got trapped and starved. Now named 'Stuckey,' the dog's exhibit continues to intrigue visitors at the museum in Waycross, Georgia.

Takeaways

• 🪓 Loggers in Georgia found an unexpected discovery in a tree trunk.
• 🚜 The loggers were working for a paper mill, cutting down trees for paper pulp.
• 🗓️ The incident occurred in 1980, involving an American chestnut tree.
• 🌳 Chestnut trees were popular for commercial use due to their fast growth.
• 🦠 The 20th-century fungal infection led to the extinction of the American chestnut tree.
• 🐶 A mummified dog was found inside the hollow trunk of the chestnut tree.
• 🔍 The dog's mummified state was a mystery, as it appeared to be naturally preserved.
• 🏛️ The find was brought to the Southern Forest World museum in Waycross, Georgia.
• 👩‍🔬 Biological anthropologist Cristina Kill Grove studied the mummified dog.
• 🏞️ The dog, named Stuckey, is believed to have been trapped in the tree in the 1960s and starved to death.

Q & A

What was unusual about the loggers' discovery in the tree?

The loggers found a mummified dog inside the hollow trunk of an American chestnut tree.

Where did the incident of finding the mummified dog take place?

The incident occurred in a forest near Jasper, Georgia, where the loggers were working for a paper mill.

Why were chestnut trees popular for commercial use before the 20th century?

Chestnut trees were popular for commercial use because they grew faster than oak trees and were used for paper pulp.

What caused the extinction of the American chestnut tree species in the 20th century?

A fungal infection led to the extinction of the American chestnut tree species in the 20th century.

How did the dog become mummified inside the tree trunk?

The dog became mummified due to the natural tannins present in the chestnut tree, which helped in the preservation process.

What is the name of the dog found inside the tree trunk, and how was it chosen?

The dog was named 'Stuckey' after a contest was held to decide its name. The name was chosen because the tree trunk's coffin-like appearance resembled a pecan log sold in Stuckey's convenience stores.

Who studied the mummified dog and what were her findings?

Cristina Killgrove, a biological anthropologist from the University of West Florida, studied the dog and concluded that it likely got stuck in the tree while hunting in the 1960s and starved to death.

Where is the mummified dog now, and what is it called at the museum?

The mummified dog is on display at the Southern Forest World in Waycross, Georgia, and it is called 'Stuckey the Mummified Dog.'

What was the loggers' initial reaction upon discovering the mummified dog?

The loggers were shocked and initially jumped back in fear when they realized there was a creature inside the hollowed-out trunk.

Why did the loggers decide not to cut up the trunk containing the mummified dog?

The loggers realized the significance of their discovery and decided not to cut up the trunk to preserve the mummified dog, hoping to find someone to investigate its origin.

What other names were considered for the mummified dog before settling on 'Stuckey'?

Other names that were considered for the mummified dog included 'Chipper' and 'Dogwood'.