Hangman tree

Hangman trees were a type of deciduous plant found commonly in temperate to subtropical climates. Their name was derived from their sinewy, rope-like vines, which were said to resemble a hangman's noose.

Biology
Hangman trees had shallow root systems and very sparse amount of leaves, thus they needed to hunt for prey in order to supplement their nutrition.

Hangman trees moved at very slowly rates. Saplings' were known to move about, while mature trees could about one-third that rate at a few feet per day.

During freezing weather, a hangman tree would typically put down a taproot and down go dormant. although indigestible items will be expelled from the belly-trunk periodically.

Behavior
Hangman trees were noted as having no interest in any sort of treasure and were generally solitary creatures.

Encounters
The tree attacks by dropping its noose-like appendages around prey. Although each tree has 6-9 appendages, only 3 can be controlled at one time. This is exclusive of damage to the tree proper. When in contact with a victim, the vine-like appendage is drawn tight. As the vine tightens and lifts the prey (up to 1000 pounds) to the upper trunk opening. The victim is then dropped into the acidic secretion contained within the barrel of the trunk of the hangman tree, and then digestion takes place. Escape from the trunk-stomach is nearly impossible due to sharp growths which surround the top opening and point down and inward. About 3 man-sized victims can fit within the tree's digestive cavity at one time. Each hangman tree has a hallucinatory perfume which it can release at will, usually doing so while prey is 30-80 feet distant. This will cause victims to believe the tree to be some ordinary sort of quickwood or Treant, etc. A tree of this sort can speak haltingly in Common learned over the years. Each also has a magic resistance based on its age because it draws power from the environment. A hangman tree resembles a thick oak with few branches and sparse foliage. There are knot-like protruberances where the sensory organs are, usually high on the trunk. The lower trunk will show a scar-like place for expulsion of indigestibles.