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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Reader photo: Snow ghost

Donald Sewell came across this ice-covered tree on Mount Spokane, Jan. 30. (Donald Sewell / Courtesy)

Donald Sewell came across this ice-covered tree on Mount Spokane, Jan. 30.

Called a snow ghost, this tree is covered in ice called rime. The ghostly shapes are formed when clouds and fog made of suspended liquid water droplets collide with the trees. While the water remains liquid in the cloud, as soon as it collides with an object – like a tree – it freezes.

These droplets slowly add up creating thick layers of ice.

Web extra: Submit your own outdoors-related photographs for a chance to be published in our weekly print edition and browse our archive of past reader submissions online at spokesman.com/outdoors.