SCP-143: The Bladewood Grove

SCP-143: The Bladewood Grove Object Class: Euclid SCP-143 is a grove of 300 trees resembling Japanese cherry blossoms. The petals look pale pink and slightly translucent, with a glass-like surface. Their edges can cut through flesh, and a strong wind can turn an ordinary collection trip into a fatal accident. The wood and petals are extremely hard, light and heat-resistant while still remaining flexible. That combination makes them useful for armor, shields and weapons, although working the material is difficult. High temperatures allow separate pieces to fuse together. The trees grow slowly, produce no fruit and are propagated from cuttings. They shed petals twice a year, giving the Foundation a more regular supply than harvesting the wood would provide. Their original stock came from a Japanese swordsmithing family in 1905. The family also supplied techniques for working the material. The parent trees remained in Japan under government ownership and the family's care. Containment covers a valley near Bio-Research Area-12, with public access blocked and strict rules about entering during shedding. Three staff members were killed when a gust scattered petals while they were collecting an earlier fall. The wood is lighter than aluminum, despite its hardness. Its heat resistance extends to approximately 1,800 degrees Celsius, while the ability to fuse pieces above 1,500 degrees gives the Foundation a way to shape and join material that ordinary tools struggle to work. So there are two sides to managing the grove. Harvesting it gives the Foundation a valuable material, but the same sharpness that makes a good tool makes a falling petal dangerous. Its usefulness depends on controlled handling, and the casualty report shows how quickly weather can take that control away. Original entry: https://t.co/IDWS4nIhgf By Kain Pathos Crow. CC BY-SA 3.0: https://t.co/TI86Yhe2FC