Recently, we wrote an article about the biggest tree census ever conducted, and the results were pretty grim. Sure, there are some 3 trillion trees on Earth, but the bad news is that there used to be almost twice as many – before humans chipped in. Humanity has cut down 46% of the planet’s trees, and we’re continuing to do
The Number of Trees has Halved Since Human Civilization Emerged
Today, the Earth has approximately 3 trillion trees left standing – about 422 per person – but we’ve already cut 46% of them.
Young and in its prime: famous California tree is “only” 777 years old
They call it “Tree 76”, because it stands 76 meters tall (249 feet) above the Muir Woods floor in California. Researchers wanted to see how old Tree 76 is, and they were surprised to see how young it is – at only 777 years old, it’s much younger than the oldest known trees of its kind.
The Heaviest Living Organism in the World
What is the heaviest living creature in the world? It’s not an elephant or a blue whale, the heaviest organism is actually an Aspen. Pando, as it is called, is a clonal colony of a single male quaking aspen; basically, it looks like more trees, but it’s actually just one living creature with one massive underground root system. The plant’s estimated
Elephant overhunting kills Tropical Forest as well in cascading effect
We’re used to hearing how elephants are driven off by habitat lost, but never the other way around. Researchers at University of Florida claim that as overhunting has dramatically cut the number of elephants in the wild, but since these also disperse seeds, it seems like dominant tree species are also dying off. Along with the trees, other forest life is sure
Trees could be used for high tech energy storage devices
When you think of timber technology, the first things that come to mind may be constructing homes, wooden tools and, of course, paper. Oregon State University researchers have found, however, that trees could be employed in a process that produces building blocks for supercapacitors – high tech energy storage devices that are considered paramount for the future’s energy needs and applications. Scientists found
Trees can capture 50% of particulate pollution cities
Trees planted along a city street could screen residents from sun and noise – but more importantly, they can also protect them from the polluted air. A new study has shown that tree leaves can capture more than 50% of the polluting particulate matter – the main source of urban pollution and a trigger for disease. In cities, this type
Acacia trees deal addiction to bodyguard ants
A strange evolutionary alliance between trees and the ants that guard them has a sinister explanation, a new study suggests, after studying ants hooked on nectar. Bodyguard ants and addiction In Central America, ants act as bodyguards for acacia trees, defending them not only from weeds, but also from animals, in exchange for accomodation and food – this has traditionally
The most colorful tree in the world: The Rainbow Eucalyptus tree
At a first glance, this tree seems like it was a victim of graffiti vandalism. But if you’ll look closer, you’ll see that it hasn’t been spray painted – the tree is coloured like this naturally. Eucalyptus deglupta is a tall tree, commonly known as the rainbow eucalyptus, Mindanao gum, or rainbow gum – it’s the only eucalyptus tree that
How tall can a tree grow? Upper limit close to 100m
Obviously there has to be a limit to how much to a tree can grow, but what exactly influences and in term limits the height of a tree? For a long time researchers have noticed that the taller the tree, the shorter its leaves. Recently, a team of scientists found that there has to be a balance between tree height
The 100 year old Belgian talking tree
Well the title is a bit deceiving, so let me clear this out a bit: this 100 year old Belgian tree doesn’t talk, in the old fashioned way. He does however, run a website, have a few thousand facebook friends and he tweets pretty often. I’ve gotta tell you, I absolutely loved this idea ! You can find the talking
Electricity from trees
Researchers have figured out a way to ‘plug’ into electrical power generated by trees. It has been a well known fact for years that plants can conduct electricity (humans can too, take care kids), and now scientists from MIT found out just how much they can pack up: 200 millivolts of electrical power (=0.2 volts). The lemon and potato battery
In sickness and in … green
The city administration of Balikpapan (in East Kalimantan) has issued a new rule which will definitely please those interested in our planet’s “health”. Each couple has to plant a tree before they can marry. Basically, if don’t plant a tree, you don’t get the marriage license. “We have made it mandatory for those wanting to get married to submit one
