The Art of Tree Camouflage

An Example from the Western Front

Observation posts were highly valuable during the First World War. Troops were locked in trench warfare and needed a solution to help track enemy movements without being seen, while also being protected should they come under enemy attack. Camouflage trees effectively concealed an observation post from which troops could watch enemy movements without being seen. A camouflage tree was an observation post made from a hollow metal cylinder, which was camouflaged to resemble a dead tree. The trees were replicas of battle-damaged trees in no-man's land. 

Extremely Detailed Field Drawing

They were constructed behind the lines using sketches drawn by a camouflage artist on the battlefield. A camouflage team would then cut down the real tree at night and replace it with the replica. The observer could then crawl in and watch the Germans in full view, while protected by the tree's steel core.They were often situated in flat, exposed areas in No-Man's-Land, where there were no natural surveillance points and the need for observation posts was greatest. Producing the sketches and positioning the camouflage trees were both highly dangerous tasks.

An Example Under Construction

Source:  Imperial War Museum