knurly

On the side next the hill, it was sufficiently guarded by the crooked branches of a knurly and scrubby oak tree, that grew on the very edge of the ravine.

With his knurly forefinger at his puckered forehead he sat and pondered.

These old apple-trees make very charming bits of the world in October; the leaves cling to them later than to the other trees, and the turf keeps short and green underneath; and in this grass, which was frosty in the morning, and has not quite dried yet, you can find some cold little cider apples, with one side knurly, and one shiny bright red or yellow cheek.

Associated words: scullion, culinary, olitory. kith, n. acquaintance. knack, n. gimcrack, trinket, toy, plaything, knickknack, kickshaws, gewgaw, bauble; skill, readiness, aptitude, proficiency, dexterity, adroitness; trick, device. knarl, n. knot, gnarl, knag, knurl, node. knarled, a. knotted, gnarled, knurly, gnarly, knotty, knurled, knarred. knave, n. villain, rascal, scamp.

It seems too much like a great tree, beautiful, symmetrical, and full of leaves, but raised or desired only for fruit, yet bearing little, and some of that little not of good quality, but knurly or bitter.