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Item #: SCP-XXXX

Object Class: Euclid

Special Containment Procedures: Due to the nature of SCP-XXXX, the entity and its offspring are to remain on location in Site-███ within a secure containment zone of 1 x 1 km bordered by brick walls topped with barbed wire. SCP-XXXX and its offspring are also to be kept separated in individual enclosures measuring 30 x 30 meters. Both the facility and the zone are to be patrolled at all times by armed guards and observed by a security feed for potential intruders. Trespassers are to be escorted back to the nearest main road and informed that the zone is under investigation for hazardous material.

Access to this zone requires authorization from Level 3 personnel. Entry to enclosures requires accompaniment from at least two guards. Guards accompanying personnel entering an enclosure are to carry non-lethal net guns. It is highly recommended that personnel entering the enclosure of SCP-XXXX-1 don the protective steel mesh suits provided in the main facility unless for scientific purposes.

SCP-XXXX does not require additional maintenance unless specifically requested by the offspring of SCP-XXXX-1. By previous request a sprinkler system has been installed which can be activated at any time.

Containing SCP-XXXX-1 and its offspring is considered not to be problematic as all subjects are unwilling to go more than 10 meters from their host tree.

Description: SCP-XXXX and its offspring consist of two distinct parts. As all entities share the same variety of tree, the tree component itself shall be referred to as SCP-XXXX whilst their occupants shall be referred to using assigned numbers, with SCP-XXXX-1 being the main progenitor of the species.

SCP-XXXX is a deciduous tree measuring up to 27.6 meters tall with a trunk up to 1.1 meters in diameter. The bark is smooth, but has no connection to any other known type of tree as both its bark and leaves are completely black. As a deciduous tree it follows the standard transitions of seasons, producing a large number of pale pink flowers in early spring. During midsummer it bears black seedless fruit resembling a plum. The fruit is astringent and bitter to the taste. In autumn its leaves turn white before being shed in preparation for winter.

SCP-XXXX-1 is a collective of large arthropod-like creature composed of carved black wood reminiscent to that of wood art sculptures. All members possess the same human-like face carved into the front of their shell but are not able to manipulate them above the jaw. The mouths are fully functional, allowing a creature to eat, communicate and bite. Each member possesses great mobility through the use of thin branch-like legs and are easily able to scale their host tree. As of writing, SCP-XXXX-1 is composed of five members which work together in order to maintain the health of their tree, ward off danger and keep watch for potential candidates. They do not appear to need food outside of spring, where they will feast on the fruit their tree provides them.

SCP-XXXX-1 is the sole propagator of its own kind, which it achieves through converting humans by means of a mutagen injected whilst biting a candidate. Subjects show the first signs of a successful injection by displaying a strong desire to find a suitable location in which plant life can thrive. Within 12 hours of finding a location the subject will begin digging a shallow tunnel they can crawl into. After 24 hours the mutagen causes complete paralysis in the subject is converted into a root system for the initial sapling to grow from.

The offspring of SCP-XXXX-1 are born through the growth of this tree, taking between 2-3 years for their tree to mature. It is after this juvenile stage that offspring grow from the tree's branches. The number of members born differs between trees, with the highest number recorded as 8. The faces on the offspring resemble their original subject but are of a same type as SCP-XXXX-1 with wood sculptured appearances. These offspring lack both the interest and means to further their species. It has not yet been established if this is intentional or a defect. Other hypothesises include the possibility that the offspring are still in a particular stage of development and may develop the means to propagate later in life.

Another trait SCP-XXXX-1 and its offspring share is their aggression, particularly if they sense their host tree is being threatened. They will swarm en masse and attempt to bite the perpetrator in order to drive them off. Above all, no subject will go beyond 10 meters from their respective tree. All attempts to remove one from this area lead to aggression from all members of the collective. Experiments into prolonged separation have inevitably ended in the death of the subject, which are then replaced by the tree within a week.

Addendum 1: The most notable difference between SCP-XXXX-1 and its offspring is the ability to communicate with others. Attempts to communicate vocally with SCP-XXXX-1 have ended in failure as it does not appear to know any languages.

Communication is significantly easier with the entity’s offspring which are able to communicate in the language their original subject possessed, however they take very little interest in talking about topics unrelated to the wellbeing of their tree. Offspring are able to recall some memories from their original subject, but are very dismissive in acknowledging themselves as the same individual.

The following is an early transcript of an interview with the eldest of SCP-XXXX-1’s offspring.