Guardians of the Earth
Mar
It’s tempting to take them for granted but trees really are amazing. Here are some little-known facts about our protectors
Trees talk to each other
Trees communicate through a complex network commonly known as the ‘Wood Wide Web’. It’s facilitated by mycorrhizal fungi that connect their roots. These fungi form symbiotic relationships with trees, exchanging nutrients and water for sugars.
Through this network, trees can share information about environmental changes, such as drought or pest attacks. A tree under attack by insects, for example, may release chemical signals through the fungi, warning neighbouring trees to produce defensive compounds.
This communication helps trees support each other, ensuring the survival of the forest ecosystem. Additionally, older ‘mother trees’ can nurture younger saplings by sharing nutrients and resources.
Trees are Earth’s longest-living organisms
Old trees can grow to astonishing ages, with some species living for thousands of years. The bristlecone pine, for example, can live over 5,000 years, making it one of the oldest living organisms on Earth.
Giant sequoias and redwoods can live for over 2,000 years, reaching immense heights and girths. These ancient trees endure harsh conditions, slow growth rates, and resilient adaptations that allow them to survive for millennia.
Their longevity is a testament to their ability to withstand environmental challenges, such as drought, disease, and extreme weather.
Trees can clone themselves
Trees can clone themselves through a process called vegetative reproduction, where new trees grow from existing roots, stems, or leaves without seeds. One common method is through root suckers, where shoots sprout from a tree’s roots, forming genetically identical offspring.
Another method is layering, where branches touching the ground take root and grow into new trees. Some trees, like aspens, form extensive clonal colonies connected by a shared root system, creating vast networks of genetically identical trees. Cloning allows trees to reproduce efficiently.
Trees can live almost anywhere
Trees can live almost anywhere due to their remarkable adaptability.
They thrive in diverse environments, from arid deserts to icy tundras, by evolving specialised traits. Desert trees, like acacias, have deep roots to access water and small leaves to reduce moisture loss. In cold climates, conifers have needle-like leaves and flexible branches to withstand snow.
Mangroves survive in salty coastal areas by filtering salt and anchoring in muddy soils. Trees also adapt to poor soil by forming productive relationships with fungi, enhancing nutrient absorption. Their ability to photosynthesise and store energy allows them to endure harsh conditions, making them vital to ecosystems worldwide.
Trees can sleep
Trees ‘sleep’ by entering a resting state at night, a phenomenon observed through subtle changes in their branches and leaves.
Using laser scans, scientists found that some trees droop their branches by up to 10 centimetres after sunset, likely due to decreased water pressure within their cells. This nocturnal drooping, akin to sleep, helps trees conserve energy.
Trees can heal themselves
Trees possess remarkable self-healing abilities to recover from damage caused by storms, pests, or human activity. When injured, they form callus tissue to seal wounds, preventing infections and decay. Specialised cells produce chemicals like resin or sap to deter pests and pathogens. Trees also compartmentalise damage by creating barriers around affected areas, isolating decay and protecting healthy tissue. Some species, like willows, produce hormones that stimulate rapid regrowth of lost branches or roots.
Trees can reduce stress
The presence of trees lowers our cortisol levels, a stress hormone, and encourages relaxation. The sight of greenery, the sound of rustling leaves, and the fresh oxygen they produce have a soothing effect on the mind.
Spending time in forests or parks, known as ‘forest bathing,’ has been shown to reduce anxiety and improve mood. Trees also provide shade and cooler spaces, enhancing physical comfort. Their natural beauty and tranquility make them powerful allies in combating stress.
Trees fight climate change
Trees combat climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide (CO2) during photosynthesis, storing carbon in their trunks, branches, and roots. This process reduces greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, mitigating global warming.
Trees also release oxygen, improving air quality. Additionally, they provide shade, reducing the need for energy-intensive cooling, and prevent soil erosion, maintaining healthy ecosystems.
Trees can grow tall
Tall trees can reach huge heights, with the tallest, like California’s coast redwoods, growing over 380 feet (116 metres). These giants thrive in ideal conditions with ample water, sunlight, and nutrient-rich soil. Their height helps them compete for sunlight in dense forests. Factors like species, genetics, and environment determine how tall trees can grow.
