Item #: SCP-XXXX
Object Class: Safe
Special Containment Procedures: SCP-XXXX is to be contained in a 600.0 m² enclosure at Biological Research Site-47. The enclosure is to be constructed of concrete, standing 25.0 meters in height and extending to 16.0 meters below ground, with a thin sheet of titanium mesh extending over the top of the enclosure to prevent the entry of birds and small mammals, significant disseminators of SCP-XXXX.
Cones on trees and within the enclosure are to be collected by staff and cremated to prevent uncontrolled population growth within the enclosure, and juvenile specimens SCP-XXXX are to be uprooted and terminated in the same manner. Ten (10) deceased cattle are to be placed into the enclosure on the first day of every month.
In case of a transmittable disease outbreak in the population or a pest infestation, affected specimens of SCP-XXXX are to be uprooted and cremated, with the resulting ashes treated as biohazard waste and disposed of accordingly. Other specimens are to be closely monitored for symptoms associated with the disease or infestation. To prevent contamination of the enclosure and Site-47, Foundation staff entering the enclosure are required to be decontaminated before entering or exiting the enclosure.
Description: SCP-XXXX is the designation of a grove of 27 specimens externally identical in appearance to Pinus albicaulis, also known as white bark pine, an endangered species of coniferous tree native to the subalpine region of northwestern North America. Discovered on March 2nd, 197█ by [REDACTED], a student at the University of ██████████ who was attending a camping retreat at the time, [REDACTED] reported his discovery to local law enforcement, and Foundation personnel stationed at the department reported the anomaly.
Located outside of the typical growing range of Pinus albicaulis, the natural hardiness of SCP-XXXX allows it to survive despite the heavy winds and frequent snow characteristic of its growing range. No other locations of SCP-XXXX have been discovered to date. Specimens of SCP-XXXX average 8.9 meters in height, with the tallest specimen standing at approximately 18.3 meters.
Specimens of SCP-XXXX are motile, traveling by extracting their roots, gripping the nearby ground, and dragging themselves forwards. Through this method, specimens of SCP-XXXX can travel at speeds of up to 1.3 km/hr (approximately 0.36 m/s), typically moving to locations with more sunlight throughout the day before becoming dormant at nighttime. In addition, SCP-XXXX utilizes its roots as prehensile appendages for gripping objects and surfaces.
The roots of SCP-XXXX also act as a component of its digestive system, producing an acid of pH 0.8, which it uses to dissolve animal carcasses and carrion. SCP-XXXX then absorbs the resulting liquid through its roots. In the absence of carrion, SCP-XXXX will prey on other arboreal flora, attaching to their trunks before dissolving them. Lacking ocular organs, SCP-XXXX likely uses smell to locate suitable carrion. The mechanism for this is unidentified.
SCP-XXXX will move away from open flames and will actively isolate diseased or infected members of the community to prevent the spread of pests and infections. Autopsies and examinations conducted on terminated specimens have revealed that SCP-XXXX does not have a central nervous system reminiscent of other animal species, which indicates that the self-preserving behavior displayed by the specimens is instinctual. When exposed to high temperatures or damaged, living specimens of SCP-XXXX release a stress pheromone to alert other specimens of danger.
Examinations of SCP-XXXX growth rings by dendrochronologists indicate that the species has a lifespan of at least several hundred years, while genomic sequencing of SCP-XXXX has resulted in genetic profiles nearly identical to that of normal Pinus albicaulis specimens, with only several notable mutations. The significance of these genetic differences is unknown.
Examinations of SCP-XXXX growth rings by dendrochronologists indicate that the species has a lifespan of at least several hundred years, while genomic sequencing of SCP-XXXX has resulted in genetic profiles nearly identical to that of normal Pinus albicaulis specimens, with only several notable mutations. The significance of these genetic differences is unknown.
Subjects: SCP-XXXX-06, SCP-XXXX-14, SCP-XXXX-17, SCP-XXXX-22, SCP-XXXX-26, SCP-XXXX-35
Date: 04/18/197█
Test: Subjects were placed individually into a standard testing room and offered a choice between several animal carcasses of differing species, each placed 2.0 meters away from the subject. Each carcass was in a similar state of decay.
Result: Subjects showed no significant preference between animal carcasses.
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Addendum XXXX-2: Following the identification of a fungal infection that led to the termination of eight (8) specimens, all researchers and Foundation staff entering and exiting the enclosure are to thoroughly decontaminate themselves, and to avoid unnecessary contact with SCP-XXXX. Scalpels and tools used to clean or remove samples from SCP-XXXX are also to be disinfected or replaced before use.
From: Director Gallows
To: Biological Research Site-47
Following several complaints from staff and a recommendation from the Ethics Committee, I have ordered the indefinite cessation of experiments on SCP-XXXX. Considering the harmless nature of SCP-XXXX and evidence suggesting that it possesses some measure of sentience, it has been decided that it is in the best keeping with Foundation principles that there is no need to continue experimentation on SCP-XXXX.
Maintenance of SCP-XXXX is to continue as normal, as are population management procedures.
Director Edwin Gallows
Director Gallows’ office was as sparsely decorated as it was spacious.
Lewis supposed it was fitting, considering he‘d heard that the man had about as much personality as a pile of bricks, but the clinical feeling of the room did nothing to help reduce his anxiety. First, it was his entirely expected, but still utterly disappointing transfer to Site-47, and now, he had been summoned for undisclosed reasons that he supposed were related to his termination from his previous station.
The incident at Site-11 was admittedly his fault, and after a lengthy medical unit stay, he considered himself lucky to have recovered enough to continue his employment. Regardless, the discontinuance of his research position there and his transferral from the facility were equivalent to vocational suicide. Site-47, by far one of the safest research facilities within the Foundation, and where careers go to die. His coworkers had wished him success, but they knew that they wouldn’t be hearing from him again.
“Dr. Joseph Lewis,” Director Gallows greeted dryly, glancing over him. He stood in front of the office window, a hand placed on the leather chair at his desk, his posture almost unnaturally stiff. Behind him, the ocean roiled, a storm brewing at the edge of the horizon. “I encourage you to take a seat.”
Gingerly, Lewis shut the door behind him, then walked forwards. Lowering himself into the available seat in front of Director Gallows’ desk, palms coming to rest flat on the tops of his thighs, he watched as Director Gallows took his own seat, retrieving a manila file folder from a drawer and laying it down carefully on the mahogany surface. “You wanted to see me, Director?”
“How are you adjusting?” The Director asked. No pleasantries.
Lewis pursed his lips. “Fine.”
“Your recent follow-up psychiatric evaluation says otherwise,” the Director said, tapping his index finger on the folder. Lewis hadn’t thought he would read the transcripts, although he didn’t know anything about the Director beyond what he had been told by the other researchers. “Dishonesty is… unappreciated, especially when I asked you a direct question. Now, how are you adjusting, Dr. Lewis?”
“If you’ve read my files, then you already know the answer to that,” Lewis said, his voice clipped. Then he remembered who he was speaking to, the man directly in charge of whether he would be allowed to continue his employment with the Foundation, and added a demure, “Director.”
Director Gallows’ lips twitched, but he didn’t frown. “I can assure you that this isn’t a punishment, Dr. Lewis,” the Director said calmly, as if he was having to explain something simple to a disgruntled child rather than speaking to an adult man with a doctorate in biology, “and that the Foundation is never unnecessarily cruel, especially towards its employees. I understand that this is not your desired placement, but a professional with your credentials will be successful here.”
Lewis took a shaky breath. “I understand, but—“
“This isn’t a punishment,” Director Gallows interrupted firmly, and Lewis’ mouth snapped shut. Thunder rumbled in the distance as raindrops started smacking against the windowpane, and the Director’s fingers curled inwards towards his palms. “Site-47 has the same duty as any other facility in the Foundation, which is to secure, contain, and protect anomalous objects and entities. Your contributions here will be as significant to the Foundation as they were during your tenure at Site-11.”
“I’m no more than a— a glorified gardener,” Lewis groused. Biological Research Site-47, entirely centered around the research of botanical SCPs, was in no manner an important facility when the anomalies it contained could easily be transferred to another site.
“But even the gardeners are of importance in our society, yes?” Directed Gallows asked, raising an eyebrow. Behind the glasses perched on his nose, his amber eyes leveled at Lewis. He reminded him of his bastard of a father, in a way. That disappointed stare, the squared shoulders, the clinical disposition. “A machine needs all of its parts to function, and Site-47 is one of the essential cogs of the Foundation.”
“That doesn’t mean that I want to be here.”
Lewis could see in the slightly upturned corners of the Director’s mouth how he almost smiled. “You still had a voice in the matter. Transfer here, or take a voluntary early retirement, and you chose Site-47.”
There was nothing that Lewis could retort with, because it was entirely his decision. Either option he chose, he was still relinquishing his career and any chance at promotion, but he would rather continue working at the Foundation than retire at the age of thirty. “It wasn’t much of a choice.”
“Regardless, you have made your decision,” Director Gallows reminded him passively, “and unless you want your employment terminated, I expect that you will maintain the quality of work I require of my staff.”
“Yes, Director Gallows,” Lewis demurred.
Thunder crashed again, closer and louder, and Director Gallows’ nose wrinkled in mild distaste. Checking the time on his watch, he stood up, gently smoothing the crisp fabric of his suit. “This has been a productive conversation, Dr. Lewis,” he said neutrally, tucking the folder back into his desk, “but I must request that you leave. If you have any further concerns, please take them up with your Foundation-appointed psychiatrist.”
“Uh, of course.” Standing up, he wondered if the entire meeting was solely about discussing his reluctance over transferring to Site-47. It didn’t seem like something a Director would bother with, but then again, Site-47 was a smaller facility than most other sites. Director Gallows likely didn’t have anything else he needed to attend to. “Thank you for your time, sir.”
Per 
