Man-eating trees are the stuff of legends. Legendary carnaverous plants large enough to kill and consume an animal or a person don’t exist… or do they?

The earliest man-eating tree legend originated as a hoax in 1881 when German explorer Carl Lich wrote about a sacrifice performed by a tribe of Madagascar which gave humans in sacrifice to this eating tree. It was spoken about later on in a book by former Governor of Michigan Chase Osborn called “Madagascar, Land of the Man-eating Tree” in 1924.

The only really known carnivorous plant large enough to sometime consume small animals is the “Nepenthes rajah” which produces traps up to 14 inches in height, and thus is able to “eat” small mammals from time to time… but really, is it the only plant able to consume large objects? When time is on its side, some trees will reveal to be quite hungry, as this picture collection proves…

And currently on eBay…

High Polished Christmas Tree Pin Pendant Jewelry New US $7.19 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 12:50:18 PST   | Watch this Item

10 Cedar Roses - all natural - collected from Deodar Cedar trees US $5.50 (2 Bids) Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 12:50:19 PST   | Watch this Item

Ceramic Bisque Garden Gnome and Tree Stump Welcome US $18.99 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 12:50:20 PST   | Watch this Item

Vintage photo K6534 Snow covered shed,tree US $5.98 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 12:50:30 PST   | Watch this Item

Hallmark Keepsake Club Ornament 2010 A Tree for Three - Winnie the Pooh #QXC1004 US $29.99 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 12:50:33 PST   | Watch this Item

Here’s a Special Edition collection of 8 virtual trading cards called “Iced”. It depicts the aftermath of an Ice Storm. Most of the pictures from this particular set have been taken in Switzerland following a pretty nasty Ice Storm formed by a conjunction of low temperature and strong wind blowing, making waves so harsh that they passed over the gates and ended up as droplets freezing everything they touched. Pretty impressive sights.