The laughing Tree
Representational picture Reuters

Ever heard of a tree laughing when touched or tickled? So claims the villagers from Nainital district in the Indian state of Uttarakhand.

Locals of the Kaladhungi forest in Nainital district claims that there is a tree which laughs when tickled or touched. The forest has two such trees and their strange reactions have stunned the villagers and tourists alike, news18.com reported.

Though the Forest Department of the Kaladhungi forest has not confirmed the news, chief of forest conservatio, SK Singh, confirmed the tree's unusual behaviour when it is caressed.

The mysterious tree reportedly moves its branches and vibrates every time it gets human touch, thus giving an impression of laughing. The weird actions of the tree has even attracted researchers for further experiments on it.

"I have heard about these trees. Their botanical name is Randia dumetorum. It is quite intriguing to see that they respond to a tickle sensation differently from others. We will research on the topic to establish reasons for such behaviour," said Professor Lalit Tiwari of Kumaon University in Nainital to the local daily Amar Ujala.

The tree is locally known as Rubisi and grows at an altitude of 300 to 1300 meters and bears fruits between December to January.

Meanwhile, the Corbett Village Development Committee has decided to further popularise the trees by allowing tourist to touch and see the reactions of the 'laughing tree'.

Researchers speculate that the tree's unusual reaction may be a result of the conjoined nerves of trunks and branches making it more sensitive to human touch, Amar Ujala reported.