The long reach of the beech

Scrambling up the steep valley wood (dog off snuffling for scent trails) my progress on the right hand side of the picture was impeded by a snaky grey limb - obviously beech but from where? Oh, over there! (left hand side).

The branch measured seven dog leads (= 35feet or 10metres) from the trunk all the way to where an opening in the understorey provided an opportunity for the tree to unfurl some leaves in the sunlight. The long stretch had finally been successful, but how much time and energy it must have taken for the tree to find that window of opportunity.

Reminds me a little of this.