The real name of this tree/shrub is contorted Filbert or Hazelnut or Corylus 'Contorta' and to get gnarled and twisted trunks this specialty plant is grafted onto a regular filbert root stock. This means if you see new sprouts arising from the base of your Walking Stick you should cut them out just below ground level. If you let the new shoots grow they will take over the crooked part of the plant and you will no longer have an unusual specimen. The roots are brown and rather fibrous. You will not harm the Walking Stick if you cut out the roots of the new young shoots.  Place your Harry Lauder's Walking Stick where you can see it in the winter. The bare branches are beautiful and in spring are adorned with lovely dangling catkins. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti