“Beautiful and fleeting, these formations are often gone within a few hours after sunset”

Hair ice, also known as ice wool, is a unique and delicate phenomenon requiring specific conditions to be created. First, it forms only in the presence of a specific fungus (Exidiopsis effuse) which grows on the rotting wood of leafy trees. Here on Vashon, Alder trees are the most common host. In addition, since the strands are highly susceptible to sublimation in low humidity environments, it requires high humidity and air temperatures only slightly under 32 degrees. Strands as long as 20cm (roughly 4 inches) have been documented. Beautiful and fleeting these formations are often gone within a few hours of sunrise. Enjoy! If you want to geek out a little more, see this article: https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/artful-amoeba/a-fungus-is-the-founder-of-the-hair-club-for-trees/