Crown Shyness

Crown shyness (AKA canopy disengagement, canopy shyness, or inter-crown spacing) is a feature observed in some tree species, in which the crowns of fully stocked trees do not touch each other, instead forming a canopy with channel-like gaps. This is most prevalent among trees of the same species, but also occurs between trees of different species. There are many hypotheses as to why crown shyness is an adaptive behaviour, but the the most popular theory is that it might inhibit spread of leaf-eating insect larvae. 

All I know is that it creates some beautiful patterns. 

As my old art teacher, Arthur Andrews, used to say, 'Always look up. You'll see things that most people don't.'