http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/trees/ Read all about trees, including the latest research on many tree species, insect infestations, and the role of trees in ecology. Full articles, photos, free. en-us Thu, 15 May 2008 23:05:01 EDT Thu, 15 May 2008 23:05:01 EDT 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/trees/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080515092618.htm US Forest Service scientists with the Center for Urban Forest Research have completed a study that found planting and nurturing Indianapolis street trees brought a 500 percent return in benefits from storm water reduction, energy conservation, cleaner air and increased property values. Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080515092618.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080501154209.htm Scientists rediscovered the highly distinctive greater dwarf cloud rat, last seen in 1896. Thought to be extinct, Carpomys melanuru has never before been discovered in its natural habitat. It has dense fur, black mask around large eyes, and a broad/blunt snout. It was found in the canopy of a large tree, on a branch covered with moss, orchids, and ferns. This gives hope for the conservation of one of the world's most diverse, threatened mammal fauna. Fri, 02 May 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080501154209.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080428133928.htm Half a century after most of Costa Rica's rain forests were cut down, researchers are attempting what many thought was impossible -- restoring a tropical rain forest ecosystem. When the researchers planted worn-out cattle pastures in Costa Rica with a sampling of local trees in the early 1990s, native species of plants began to move in and flourish, raising the hope that destroyed rain forests could one day be replaced. Ten years after the tree plantings, researchers counted the species of plants that took up residence in the shade of the new planted areas. They found remarkably high numbers of species -- more than 100 in each plot. And many of the new arrivals were also to be found in nearby remnants of the original forests. Wed, 30 Apr 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080428133928.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080416104320.htm The world's oldest recorded tree is a 9,550 year old spruce in the Dalarna province of Sweden. The spruce tree has shown to be a tenacious survivor that has endured by growing between erect trees and smaller bushes in pace with the dramatic climate changes over time. Wed, 16 Apr 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080416104320.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080411083002.htm Elastic stresses may play a crucial role in determining a leaf's venation pattern, according to a new study. Biologists have developed a model that reproduces statistical properties of venation patterns, based on the assumption that cells can suffer abrupt elastic distortions during growth. These distortions appear due to the elastic stresses generated by the unequal growth rate of different leaf tissues. Sun, 13 Apr 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080411083002.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080410153648.htm A new study mapping the evolutionary history of animals indicates that Earth's first animal -- a mysterious creature whose characteristics can only be inferred from fossils and studies of living animals -- was probably significantly more complex than previously believed. Fri, 11 Apr 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080410153648.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080403140921.htm If you get a chance to sip some shade-grown Mexican organic coffee, please pause a moment to thank the bats that helped make it possible. At Mexican organic coffee plantations, where pesticides are banned, bats and birds work night and day to control insect pests that might otherwise munch the crop. Until now, the birds got nearly all the credit. Mon, 07 Apr 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080403140921.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080406175047.htm Chemists in Colorado now are reporting solutions to two major problems with bamboo fabrics that may speed adoption of this amazing plant -- which grows like Jack's beanstalk without special care -- in garments and other consumer products. Mon, 07 Apr 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080406175047.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080402151409.htm Scientists have provided the first description of a fungus responsible for the wilt of redbay trees along the coasts of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. Plant pathologists have now provided results from their assessment of the fungus, the beetle that carries it, and their combined effect on redbay and other members of the laurel family, including sassafras, spicebush and avocado. Mon, 07 Apr 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080402151409.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080330214448.htm More than two million trees belonging to nearly 5000 species, growing in tropical forests spread over 12 sites and three continents, have been monitored since the 1980s. The aims of this major study were to analyze the carbon storage capacity of tropical forests and measure the effects of climate change on how they function. Researchers found that tropical forests did indeed act as carbon sinks, but appeared to react principally to intrinsic phenomena rather than climate change. Tue, 01 Apr 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080330214448.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080327093626.htm US Forest Service scientists with the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry have completed a study on ways to make high-value koa trees grow faster, while increasing biodiversity, carbon sequestration, scenic beauty and recreation opportunities in native Hawaiían forests. Mon, 31 Mar 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080327093626.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080327172031.htm Half a century after most of Costa Rica's rainforests were cut down, researchers from the Boyce Thompson Institute took on a project that many thought was impossible -- restoring a tropical rainforest ecosystem. When the researchers planted worn-out cattle fields in Costa Rica with a sampling of local trees, native species began to move in and flourish, raising the hope that destroyed rainforests can one day be replaced. Sat, 29 Mar 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080327172031.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080325083359.htm Molecular evidence provides strong evidence that speciation rates slow down through time. New species seem to appear less and less as the number of species in a region approaches the maximum number that it can support. Fri, 28 Mar 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080325083359.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080324173459.htm It turns out ants, like humans, are true farmers. The difference is that ants are farming fungus. Entomologists are providing new insight into the agricultural abilities of ants and how these abilities have evolved throughout time. Tue, 25 Mar 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080324173459.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080321121657.htm Peach growers combat several insects that harm their crop, usually using chemical pesticides to do so. Agricultural Research Service scientists are seeking environmentally friendly alternatives. For the peachtree borer, the researchers found a beneficial nematode. Tue, 25 Mar 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080321121657.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080317171027.htm Scientists have revealed what may well be the first pervasive 'rule' of evolution. Researchers have found evidence which suggests that evolution drives animals to become increasingly more complex. Tue, 18 Mar 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080317171027.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080311093345.htm The larvae of pollinating wasps in the inner flowers of figs are safe from parasitic wasps. Parasites may contribute to stability in the fig-pollinator mutualism because outer flowers avoided by pollinators tend to develop into seeds. Thu, 13 Mar 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080311093345.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080303190645.htm To the list of threats to tropical rainforests you can add a new one -- trees. It might seem that for a rainforest the more trees the merrier, but a new study warns that non-native trees invading a rainforest can change its basic ecological structure -- rendering it less hospitable to the myriad plant and animal species that depend on its resources. Thu, 06 Mar 2008 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080303190645.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080305144228.htm Plants gained their ancestral toehold on dry land with considerable help from their fungal friends. Now, millennia later, that partnership is being exploited as a strategy to bolster biomass production for next generation biofuels. The genetic mechanism of this kind of symbiosis, which contributes to the delicate ecological balance in healthy forests, also provides insights into plant health that may enable more efficient carbon sequestration and enhanced phytoremediation, using plants to clean up environmental contaminants. Thu, 06 Mar 2008 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080305144228.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080305144221.htm Evolutionary biologists have re-written the animal tree of life. A new study uses new genomics tools to answer old questions about animal evolution -- and offers up a few surprises among the branches. The study involved 40 million base pairs of new DNA data taken from 29 animal species. It settles some long-standing debates about the relationships between major groups of animals and offers up a few surprises. The big shocker: Comb jellyfish -- common and extremely fragile jellies with well-developed tissues -- appear to have diverged from other animals even before the lowly sponge, which has no tissue to speak of. This finding calls into question the very root of the animal tree of life, which traditionally placed sponges at the base. Thu, 06 Mar 2008 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080305144221.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080229133224.htm A new report identifies the potential volume of wood resources available from more than 2 million acres of Arizona forests, representing the first major agreement among groups typically at odds over the issue of forest thinning. Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080229133224.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080218172312.htm A new method for measuring the impacts of species on local biodiversity has been developed. The system makes it possible to determine whether a certain species promotes or suppresses species diversity. The new method extends a procedure familiar to biologists that involves investigating species numbers in relation to area, by adding sophisticated statistical methods so that it can be used to describe the role of individual species in their impact on biodiversity. The new method makes it easier to identify key species. Tue, 19 Feb 2008 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080218172312.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080214130404.htm New research shows that the second most diverse group of hard corals first evolved in the deep sea, and not in shallow waters. This finding contradicts a long-established theory suggesting that corals evolved in shallow water before migrating into deeper habitats. Radiocarbon dating shows that some species have life spans of over 4,000 years. Tue, 19 Feb 2008 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080214130404.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080207163745.htm Among the gliding animals, the colugo or "flying" lemur of Southeast Asia is the champ. It's able to glide the length of two football fields with its doormat-sized skin flaps. Researchers are strapping small backpacks to these animals to find out how they do it without injuring themselves. The devices in the backpacks, which measure acceleration, have motion-detecting technology similar to that in Wii remote controllers, which allow electronic game players to simulate the swing of a golf club or baseball bat. Tue, 12 Feb 2008 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080207163745.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080126083601.htm Agricultural scientists are developing an add-on device to control dust emissions from nut harvesters. Researchers are testing a prototype device that uses centrifugal force to trap soil and bits of leaves and sticks so the harvester emits cleaner air. Fri, 01 Feb 2008 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080126083601.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080130161746.htm Africa's own fruits are a largely untapped resource that could combat malnutrition and boost environmental stability and rural development in Africa, says a new report from the National Research Council. Thu, 31 Jan 2008 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080130161746.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080123131744.htm Ever since a forward-thinking trio of physicists identified the phenomenon known as self-organized criticality -- a mechanism by which complexity arises in nature -- scientists have been applying its concepts to everything from economics to avalanches. Tue, 29 Jan 2008 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080123131744.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080122154343.htm Autumn colors are appearing later and later, if at all. Scientists say we can blame increasing amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere for prolonging the growing season. And that may actually be good news for forestry industries. Thu, 24 Jan 2008 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080122154343.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080121112642.htm Biologists have made a startling discovery about the relationship between organisms that most people have never heard of. The Tree of Life must be re-drawn, textbooks need to be changed, and the discovery may also have significant impact on the development of medicines. The discovery has gained attention from biologists worldwide. The findings come from the largest ever genetic comparison of higher life forms on the planet. Tue, 22 Jan 2008 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080121112642.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080116142805.htm Parasites occasionally change the behavior or looks of their host, but a nasty tropical nematode alters both, making its ant host's parasite-filled abdomen resemble a ripe red berry. According to biologists, this behavior is a strategy the nematode evolved to entice birds to eat the ant's abdomen and spread the parasite in their droppings. Mon, 21 Jan 2008 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080116142805.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080116192108.htm Within five to seven years fast growing trees and grasses might become economically viable alternatives to corn as a source of renewable fuel ethanol, reducing the need for pollutants that now cause a massive "dead zone" in the Gulf of Mexico. Sat, 19 Jan 2008 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080116192108.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080114173858.htm Researchers have discovered some of the genetic secrets that enable pine and spruce trees to fight off pests and disease, uncovering critical new information about forests' natural defense systems. Thu, 17 Jan 2008 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080114173858.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080110144845.htm Throughout the tropics, ants and Acacia trees live together in intricate interdependent relationships that have long fascinated scientists. Now researchers are reporting that in Africa, this plant-insect teamwork depends on the very antagonist it is intended to ward off: Africa's big browsing mammals. Wed, 16 Jan 2008 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080110144845.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080110144758.htm Purdue University researchers are collaborating with Chrysler LLC in a project to use poplar trees to eliminate pollutants from a contaminated site in north-central Indiana. Tue, 15 Jan 2008 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080110144758.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080109100831.htm Scientists have found cultural differences among chimpanzee colonies. Socially-learned cultural behavior was thought, until now, to be unique to humans. Thu, 10 Jan 2008 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080109100831.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107104440.htm Scientists report an advance toward unlocking the secrets of "tension wood (TW)," a step that could have practical applications in preventing costly warping and splitting of wood used in construction projects. The researchers point out that whereas normal wood tends to shrink a small amount when dried, TW undergoes surprisingly high shrinkage. This shrinkage makes it undesirable for use in sun decks and other construction applications. Now, researchers want a valid explanation for this phenomenon. Wed, 09 Jan 2008 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107104440.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107091035.htm Research on a treasure trove of amber has yielded evidence that France once was covered by a dense tropical rainforest with trees similar to those found in the modern-day Amazon. The 55-million-year-old pieces of amber was discovered in the Oise River area in northern France. Tue, 08 Jan 2008 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107091035.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071220140810.htm Most modern-day groups of beetles have been around since the time of the dinosaurs and have been diversifying ever since, says new research in Science. Beetles have displayed an exceptional ability to seize new ecological opportunities and develop a great range of life styles and feeding types. Wed, 26 Dec 2007 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071220140810.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071206235448.htm A new data analysis shows conclusively that large amounts of carbon dioxide are released from peatland in Southeast Asia when it is converted from natural swamp forest to plantations of oil palm or pulpwood trees. This supports the findings of a recent Greenpeace report on the impact of growing oil palm on tropical peatlands. Sat, 15 Dec 2007 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071206235448.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071203135742.htm Beetle droppings -- known in the scientific world as frass -- are crucial to forests recovering from fire.Armed with a pair of tweezers and a handful of beetle droppings,researchers have discovered why bug-sized dung is so important to areas ravaged by fire. Tue, 11 Dec 2007 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071203135742.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071126154939.htm Crimson Rocket peach trees look like tall, thin cousins of the more classically-shaped peach trees. These "skinny" trees provide an attractive, space-saving tree that produces full-size peaches that could make their way to consumers in 2008. Tue, 04 Dec 2007 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071126154939.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071203090131.htm A study based on an extensive data-gathering effort concludes that expected climate change this century could shift the ranges of 130 North American tree species northward by hundreds of kilometers and shrink the ranges by more than half. Ranges may decrease sharply if trees cannot disperse in altered conditions. Mon, 03 Dec 2007 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071203090131.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071130163440.htm A farm owner thought he'd struck a fine bargain with the Michigan Department of Transportation. MDOT would get fill for nearby highway construction by dredging a pond on his farm near Arnheim, Mich., and he would get the pond. Nobody expected to find a prehistoric forest too. But that's exactly what they uncovered, about 15 feet down. Sat, 01 Dec 2007 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071130163440.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071126162529.htm A study found the chlorinated flame retardant Dechlorane Plus in the bark of trees across the northeastern US, with by far the highest concentrations measured near the Niagara Falls, N.Y., factory where this chemical is produced. Fri, 30 Nov 2007 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071126162529.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071126152259.htm Too many flowers on peach and apple trees are not necessarily a good thing. If all of the flowers that formed in springtime were allowed to become fruit, the resulting crop may be large, but the fruit would be excessively small and unmarketable. Larger fruit commands a higher market price. Fri, 30 Nov 2007 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071126152259.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071126092140.htm Moths and butterflies, particularly silkworms, are well known producers of silk. And we all know spiders use it for their webs. But they are not the only invertebrates who make use of the strength and versatility of silk. Tue, 27 Nov 2007 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071126092140.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071117111207.htm A simulator modeling the evolution of a forest applies computational geometry to the problem of understanding forest growth. Tree development within a forest largely depends on how much space they have both on the ground and in the air, around the treetops. Trees compete to dominate the space they need to develop. Wed, 21 Nov 2007 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071117111207.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071119103548.htm Animal conservationists are turning to physics to investigate whether global warming is responsible for killing sun-loving South American tree frogs. When in their natural habitat, the Costa Rican tree frogs prefer to live on leaves and branches high above the ground. They enjoy basking in the hot sun -- which is unusual because frogs normally avoid prolonged exposure to high levels of light due to the risk of overheating and dehydration. Tue, 20 Nov 2007 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071119103548.htm