Ches (CHESS)
Ches (singular and plural) are deciduous trees that grow to an average of twenty-five feet tall, with thick six-foot trunks on average. They are common and widespread throughout Icalar, and are highly-valued as a crop owing to their thick, spongy bark that is edible and treated as a near-replacement for bread products, giving rise to its common name of 'breadbark'. Although it is a very stalwart tree with high regenerative ability, domestication of the tree relies on proper care for sustainability.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Tendency toward single, non-split trunks and several upper, short branches that form a very small crown. A single large taproot and an extremely broad but shallow subsidiary root system is typical. "Groves" are usually actually a single individual and its smaller children sprouting from the root system below; trees do not tend to cluster too closely together so as to cover the most area for its moisture.
Biological Traits
Outer bark surface is smooth and light brown with slight pitting; inner bark is pale gold and spongy, and can be three to five feet thick. Its leaves are thin, long, three-pronged needle clusters that are dark green at the node and gold toward the ends; these needle clusters sprout on smaller twigs in bushels on the dense crown of the tree.
Genetics and Reproduction
Reproduction is primarily achieved asexually via its subsidiary root system, provided it reaches an area with sufficient nutrients away from the parent.
Ecology and Habitats
Very adaptive, capable of thriving in any large area of soil stable enough to support its weight and root system as it grows.
Additional Information
Domestication
Most domestication is done from harvesting a child-sapling, cultivating its roots, and then planting. It is common for small communities to share one or two large ches, or for a single homestead to have their own personal tree. Large cultivated groves may be carefully created by larger settlements, but these can be difficult to manage due to the tree's nutrient- and water-sapping tendencies.
Uses, Products & Exploitation
Due to bread products being less common because of limited grain production, ches bark is a common harvest and is a standard 'filler' food. Harvesting must be done only to a certain percentage of the tree's mass and only at certain times of the season in order to not scupper its natural regenerative ability.
Its needles can also be used as mattress filler.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Throughout Icalar
Lifespan
80+ Years
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Average Height
25ft
Geographic Distribution
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