Tag Archives: Tree

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

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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

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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

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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

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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→

Tree rings reveal evidence of most powerful solar storm on record

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Our Sun is capable of some truly terrifying outbursts – and now scientists have discovered evidence of its biggest tantrum on record. Tree rings dating back around 14,000 years contain a radiocarbon spike twice as powerful as the previous biggest known… Continue reading Tree rings reveal evidence of most powerful solar storm on record→

Dead-tree pyramids show promise as quick and easy artificial reefs

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Although artificial reefs certainly do help restore damaged marine ecosystems, they’re usually made of heavy manmade materials that must be formed into shape. Now, however, scientists are reporting success using readily-available dead pear trees.Contin… Continue reading Dead-tree pyramids show promise as quick and easy artificial reefs→

CRISPR tweaks tree genetics to make paper more suastainably

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Conventional breeding of trees takes time, but CRISPR gene editing should help speed things up. Now, scientists at North Carolina State University have used CRISPR to adjust the genomes of poplar trees to make them easier to turn into paper products.Co… Continue reading CRISPR tweaks tree genetics to make paper more suastainably→

Dual-armed robot lends a helping hand in Amazon reforestation effort

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Often referred to as the lungs of the planet, the Amazon rainforest is in trouble – with around a third reported as already gone or degraded. A pocket of resistance in Peru has now been joined by a dual-armed robotic gardener to help with reforestation… Continue reading Dual-armed robot lends a helping hand in Amazon reforestation effort→

Amazonian dark earth could bring life back to decimated forestland

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Even though the Amazon is still a powerhouse of plant and animal life, about 18% of it has been cut down since the 1970s. Seeking ways to help get some of that lost forestland back, researchers have turned to a rich soil created by the activities of th… Continue reading Amazonian dark earth could bring life back to decimated forestland→