Hacking Trees to Bring Back the American Chestnut

A researcher in a safety harness pollinates an American chestnut tree from a lift. Another researcher is on the other side of the lift and appears to be taking notes. The tree has bags over some of its branches, presumably to control the pollen that gets in. The lift has a grey platform and orange arm.

“Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire” is playing on the radio now in the Northern Hemisphere which begs the question, “What happened to the American chestnut?” Would you be surprised …read more Continue reading Hacking Trees to Bring Back the American Chestnut

Pangolin-inspired robot poops tree seeds into holes it digs

Foraging pangolins already dig in the dirt, so why not get them planting trees while they’re at it? Well, training them would be pretty hard, which is why a California high school student named Dorothy designed a pangolin-inspired robot to do the diggi… Continue reading Pangolin-inspired robot poops tree seeds into holes it digs

New type of carbon-capturing wood discovered in nature

Tulip trees have been around for millions of years, but a new analysis of their structure has revealed a previously unknown type of wood. The finding could explain why the trees are great at sequestering carbon and help our efforts to do the same.Conti… Continue reading New type of carbon-capturing wood discovered in nature

World’s largest coastal regeneration project could transform Dubai

Dubai already boasts the world’s tallest skyscraper, with the world’s tallest residential tower on the way too. Now local firm Urb envisions transforming its shores with the world’s largest coastal regeneration project. The ambitious development would … Continue reading World’s largest coastal regeneration project could transform Dubai

Strange trees in world’s oldest forest ripped themselves apart to grow

An artist's impression of a forest full of Calamophyton trees

Scientists have uncovered the oldest fossilized forest, dating back 390 million years to a time when life was just getting a foothold on land. The ancient forest was made up of the first trees to ever grow on Earth – bizarre “prototype” trees that had to rip their skeletons apart in order to grow.

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Daisugi – Growing Straight Lumber without Killing the Tree

A large, short set of tree stumps supports many smaller, straight trees atop them. They are on a picturesque mountain with a orange deciduous tree behind them.

In 14th Century Japan, there was a shortage of straight lumber for building and flat land on which to grow it. Arborists there developed a technique that looks like growing …read more Continue reading Daisugi – Growing Straight Lumber without Killing the Tree

Avocado robot swings from trees to gather canopy data

Swiss researchers are working on an environmental monitoring robot named Avocado that’s been inspired by abseiling spiders. The fruit-shaped bot uses a winch and rotors to lower itself through the canopy and gather data on life in the treetops.Continue… Continue reading Avocado robot swings from trees to gather canopy data

Christmas tree genetically improved for less needly mess to clean up

Researchers have taken the best genetic characteristics of the Fraser fir, arguably the most popular choice for Christmas tree, and used them to create a tree that’s taller, prettier, and – importantly – sheds only a fraction of its needles.Continue Re… Continue reading Christmas tree genetically improved for less needly mess to clean up