Per 
Item #: SCP-XXXX
Object Class Safe Euclid
Special Containment Procedures: A 30m firebreak must be maintained around all instances of SCP-4xxx. This firebreak will be kept free of flammable materials. In the field, this firebreak will be treated with sodium glyphosate in early spring and late summer. Controlled burns, followed by broad application of glyphosate, may be used to clear stands of SCP-4xxx if deemed an immediate threat to civilian populations.
Seed bearing specimens of SCP-4xxx should be surrounded by a cage of 1 cm wire mesh to prevent seed dispersal by local birds. Any saplings found in or outside the fire break should be treated with a localized application of glyphosate. Non-anomalous specimens of J. occidentalis species displaying SCP-4xxx traits are to be removed from a radius of 250m around specimens displaying anomalous traits.
Fires resulting from SCP-4xxx are to be attributed to mundane causes. Individuals who observe SCP-4xxx’s anamalous properties are approved for Class-B amnestics in the field, and Class-C post debriefing. Public media disclosures of SCP-4xxx are to be suppressed with the Hieronimus protocol.
Description: SCP-4xxx is a stand (4xxx-6R-A) of Juniperus occidentalis (Western Juniper) found in California’s Six Rivers National Forest. The stand contains approximately 20 specimens covering 2,800 m2.
When the cambium of the tree is exposed to oxygen the sap in the tree ignites. Saplings (SCP-4xxxA) have shown high explosive potential that peaks when the specimen is approximately 1 m in height, then decreasing until stabilizing at approximately 2.5m. Pollen bearing specimens (SCP-4xxxB) lose much of their explosive potential, while producing large quantities of burning debris upon combustion. Seed bearing specimens (SCP-4xxxC) explode with lower temperatures that disperse seeds and debris up to 25m. Seeds have shown resistance to shock and high temperatures.
SCP-4xxx came to the Foundation’s attention during routine internet surveillance by MTF-Z-1000. A poster on the forums of the Bigfoot Field Research Organization (BFRO) claimed to have found the site while following a set of tracks. The individual broke a branch to mark the trail, thereby igniting the specimen. The individual suffered second degree burns from the resulting detonation. The individual fled the area to notify authorities and seek medical attention. Park records indicate that the individual notified Park Rangers of the fire but did not include any mention of SCP-4xxx. In later interviews with Foundation personnel, the individual claimed that those details were omitted because, “spontaneously combusting trees sounds fucking crazy.” The resulting fire spread to 75 hectares until it was suppressed by rainfall. Forum posts were purged by Foundation agents embedded as site admins. Witness was given Class C amnestics post-interrogation.
While investigating the area for evidence of SCP-1000, MTF-Z-1000 was able to confirm the existence of SCP-4xxx. Responsibility for the site was transferred to MTF-Θ-4 “Gardeners.” Six weeks after the fire, 26 trees ranging from 1.5m to 2m in height were found at the site. This dramatically exceeds the natural growth rate of J. occidentalis. Seeds were collected from all SCP-4xxxC specimens found at the site and returned to Area-12 for cultivation and study.
Addendum 1: Field researchers have located additional stands in the Six Rivers park, located 800 m (4xxx-6R-B) and 1.72 km (4xxx-6R-C) from the initial site. Assigning embedded agents in local Park management and fire prevention administrations to prioritize identification and quarantine of SCP-4xxx samples.
Addendum 2: Juniperus virginiana variant of SCP-4xxx identified in Ouachita Mountains of southeastern Oklahoma (4xxx-OU-A). 6 specimens found in a riparian corridor east of █████ Mountain. See attached interview for further details.
Interviewed: Gregg Aulgur
Interviewer: Agent ██████
Forward: Mr. Aulgur; a resident of Idabel, Oklahoma; on the events surrounding the discovery of SCP-4xxx-OU-A.
<Begin Log, 10/15/99 13:25> **
Agent ██████:** Mr Aulgur, please recount the events of September 27.
Gregg Aulgur: Okay… Um… Kelly and I were up in the mountains…
Agent ██████: The Oh-ah-chi-ta Mountains?
Gregg Aulgur: It’s Wash-it-aw, yeah, we were up there looking for spots for deer stands before the season started, and y’know, other stuff.
Agent ██████: Other stuff?
Gregg Aulgur: We had been dating for a month or two… so …
Agent ██████: I see. Please continue with what happened.
Gregg Aulgur: We found a patch where the ground was burnt up, with a bunch of little Redcedars poking up. About knee high. We were looking around for tracks, to see if any Whitetails were picking at the new growth. I was looking at the ground when there was a…
Agent ██████: Go on.
Gregg Aulgur: A boom. I wasn’t sure what happened. My ears were ringing and everything was blue, it took me a second to realize I was on my back, looking up at the sky. Then realized Kelly was screaming. I look at her, and she’s on the ground next to a big hole in the ground, and her foot is … just… gone. Below her knee is … There’s blood all over. I took off my belt to tie off her leg. Carried her back to the truck. But by the time we got back there, she was… Who would do this? Why would someone put landmines out there?
Agent ██████: Why do you believe it was a landmine?
Gregg Aulgur: What the hell else could it’ve been? It’s not like the trees are gonna blow up when someone steps on them. It was a bunch of those eco-nuts, wasn’t it?
Agent ██████: Thank you Mr. Aulgur, we’ll contact you if we have any further questions.
Closing Statement: Amnestics were withheld in lieu of a cover story accusing eco-terrorists of attempting to sabotage local logging by the Weyerhaeuser company. Foundation agents embedded in the FBI examined the site, confirmed the presence of SCP-4xxx and that the area was free of conventional explosives. MTF-Θ-4 was deployed to collect samples and implement containment procedures.
MTF-Θ-4 post mission assessment: This variant demonstrates that SCP-4xxx is more widespread than initially suspected. Recommend classification upgrade to Euclid until the distribution and dispersal potential of SCP-4xxx can be properly assessed and countermeasures revised.
Test A - 03/07/1996 to Ongoing
Subject: SCP-4xxx seeds collected from specimens at 4xxx-6R-A. Control: Non-anomalous
J. occidentalis seeds collected from SCP-4xxx-6R-A.
Result Summary:
Resource consumption - Water and CO2 requirements for SCP-4xxx are substantially higher than control specimens. Consumption is in line with accelerated growth rate and production of additional volatile compounds.
Growth - SCP-4xxx specimens display an average growth rate of 30cm per week compared to the control specimen average of 9cm per year. Given peculiarities of SCP-4xxx, researchers have yet to determine a means to examine the internal morphology.
Seed Production - Approximately 50% of non-anomalous J. occidentalis specimens are monoecious while all SCP-4xxx specimens are dioecious, all tests listed below use dioecious specimens as controls. J. occidentalis has show the ability to shift from male to female depending on environmental conditions, with trees adjacent to roads and clearings tending to manifest as female. This behavior has not been observed in SCP-4xxx, although field observations have shown similar tendency towards SCP-4xxxC adjacent to roads and clearings. As such, containment teams are to assume SCP-4xxx is capable of switching between 4xxxB and 4xxxC under certain conditions. As of 06/22/2019 Control specimens have not yet begun producing seeds. SCP-4xxx was first observed bearing seeds on 06/16/1996. SCP-4xxx seeds must be exposed to temperatures in excess of 75° C to trigger germination. Seeds collected from 4xxx-6R-A have not shown any decrease in viability in the intervening 23 years. Cross pollination experiments have shown SCP-4xxx and J. occidentalis are incompatible and will not produce viable seeds.Ecology - J. occidentalis is a food source for wild birds, ungulates, and domestic goats. Field researchers have reported no signs of wildlife within stands of SCP-4xxx. Domestic goats have attempted to eat SCP-4xxx in trials. Animals were promptly euthanized after consuming SCP-4xxx due to injuries sustained. Ungulates captured in Six Rivers park refused to approach SCP-4xxx in all trials. In trials where wild ungulates were given a choice, the animals always selected control specimens over SCP-4xxx. Current working hypothesis: The animals have learned to avoid the scent of the volatile compounds in SCP-4xxx; further testing is ongoing.
Test B - 12/20/1999 to Ongoing
Subject: SCP-4xxx seeds collected from specimens at 4xxx-OU-A. Control: Non-anomalous
J. virginiana seeds collected from Six Rivers National Park.
Procedure: Similar procedure to Test A using J. virginiana as control.
Result Summary: Trials with SCP-4xxx-OU specimens have shown no discernable difference from SCP-4xxx-6R specimens. Cross pollination experiments have show that SCP-4xxx-6R and SCP-4xxx_OU are capable of producing viable seeds, with the resulting saplings taking the form of the SCP-4xxxC specimen. The only differences appear to be morphological.
