Knowledge
Our knowledge page will offer an easy way to learn interesting facts about trees and how they work. Our Tree Database is a great place to learn about individual species, their native range, site requirements, pests and their uses. If you're planting a tree you must keep in mind that trees are living creatures so having a rough understanding of how to plant and how to prune are all essential in making sure you have a happy tree, so check out our How to pages. Or maybe check out our Mushrooms & Fungi page to learn about the connectedness between trees and fungi.
Tree Database
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How To Page
Tree Facts
How Trees Work
A tree is a dynamic living organism with a self-supporting woody stem. Through the process of photosynthesis the tree converts carbon from the atmosphere into sugars, which it uses to make the building blocks of cellulose and lignin required to sustain its self-supporting structure. The sugars produced are transported throughout the tree via the inner bark, known as the phloem, to where they are required. When the sugars are not immediately required, it is stored within the trunk, branches and rooting system.
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The tree roots absorb water and other essential nutrients and minerals from the soil, which are then transported to the leaves via tubular vessels called xylem. The minerals, along with the sugars produced via photosynthesis, are used to produce the flower and subsequently the fruit to advance the next generation of trees.
How Trees Talk
Trees are fascinating organisms that play an essential role in our planet's ecosystem. They not only absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere but also provide oxygen, food, and shelter to countless species. However, what many people do not realize is that trees also communicate with one another using a variety of signals, including sound, olfactory, visual, chemical, and electrical cues. The most surprising of these signals are sound. Researchers have discovered that roots can crackle at a frequency of 220 Hz, which can be heard by surrounding trees. When the sound was played back to a seedling, its root tips grew in that direction, and surrounding trees also responded by directing their root tips toward the source of the sound. This not only shows that trees can produce sound but can also hear it.
However, trees mainly use scent as a means of communication. Scientists have observed that when giraffes feed on umbrella-thorn acacias, these trees pump toxic substances into their leaves to deter predators. Moreover, the acacia tree emits a warning scent that other trees in the area pick up on, signaling that predators are nearby. Neighbouring trees also begin to prepare by releasing their own toxic substances into their leaves in anticipation of an attack. This form of communication extends throughout the forest, allowing trees to rely on one another for protection against invading creatures.
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Trees also send electrical signals to one another, similar to how humans signal pain. When a caterpillar takes a bite out of a leaf, the tree sends electrical signals, pumping toxins into the leaves, spoiling the predator's meal. Trees can even identify specific insects by their saliva, which has a distinct chemical composition. Trees then produce pheromones that attract beneficial predators, such as parasitic wasps, that lay their eggs in the leaf-eating caterpillars, eating them from the inside out.
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Although tree roots extend a much greater distance than the crown of the tree, fungi in the soil span even larger distances in all directions. In a forest, trees are close together, and their roots inevitably grow into each other, creating connections with neighbouring trees. Fungi act as intermediates for trees, allowing them to communicate with one another quickly over long distances. The fungi are made up of thin filaments called hyphae that penetrate the ground, weaving a mat that is extraordinarily dense. The fungi transmit signals throughout the whole forest, helping the trees exchange information about insects, drought, and other dangers. This connection of fungi across the forest floor is most commonly referred to as the ‘wood wide web.’
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Trees that are weakened by old age or damage may lose their communication skills and their ability to defend themselves. Pests can target weakened trees by promoting chemical warnings and singling out the trees that haven't gotten the message. This is why "loner trees" in fields or at the side of a road can be susceptible to pest attacks. In contrast, in the symbiotic community of a forest, not just trees, but all of the plant life within it is connected and relies on one another.
Trees communicate with one another not just for defense and illness but also for reproduction. The aroma of blossom fills the air in spring to attract passing visitors like bees to indulge in its sweet nectar. In exchange, the plant provides a dusting of pollen for the bee's journey, which will get into other flowers that the bee visits, pollinating them repeatedly.
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In conclusion, trees are not just silent creatures that stand in one place. They communicate with one another through various signals, including sound, scent, electrical signals, and even fungal connections. These forms of communication help trees protect themselves, reproduce, and thrive as part of a symbiotic community.
How do trees know when its spring
Trees have a sophisticated system for detecting changes in the environment that allows them to know when it's time to begin their growth and reproductive cycles. One key element of this system is a molecule called phytochrome, which acts like an hourglass. When night falls, phytochrome is flipped within the tree. If all the molecules drain through the tree before light returns, the tree knows to hold off on producing buds and flowers. But if the molecules are still present in the tree when light returns, the tree sends a signal to the buds to start flowering.
In addition to phytochrome, trees also rely on changes in temperature and daylight to help them know when it's time to start growing. As temperatures rise in the spring, the tree has the energy it needs to produce new buds and leaves, while the increasing daylight triggers the production of hormones that stimulate growth.
Ultimately, the purpose of a tree blooming is to reproduce. By producing buds and flowers, the tree is able to attract pollinators and produce seeds, ensuring the survival of the species.
Ecosystem Control
Trees play a crucial role in the ecosystem, creating a thriving community that benefits all living creatures in the area. While a single tree cannot be considered a forest, the collective efforts of many trees can generate a variety of environmental benefits.
One of the most significant ways that trees contribute to the ecosystem is by regulating temperature. Trees provide shade and cooling effects, which can help keep the temperature of the surrounding environment at a comfortable level. This is especially important during hot summer months when excessive heat can be detrimental to wildlife and vegetation. By regulating the temperature of the surrounding environment, trees also help to prevent soil erosion and reduce the risk of wildfires.
Another way that trees impact the local ecosystem is by retaining water. Trees have extensive root systems that can absorb water and help to prevent soil erosion. This water retention also contributes to the health of the local watershed, ensuring that water is available for other plants, animals, and people in the area. Trees also help to regulate the water cycle by releasing moisture into the air through transpiration, contributing to the formation of clouds and the generation of rainfall. In addition to regulating temperature and retaining water, trees also generate humidity, which is crucial for the survival of many species of plants and animals. Trees release moisture into the air through transpiration, creating a microclimate that is beneficial to the surrounding environment. This increased humidity can also help to reduce air pollution, by trapping harmful particles and purifying the air.
To achieve these benefits, trees must remain united within their community. Trees work together to provide shelter and resources for one another, creating an interconnected network that supports the health and longevity of the entire forest. By providing shade, retaining water, and generating humidity, trees help to create a thriving ecosystem that benefits all living creatures in the area.
Clean Atmosphere
Trees renew our air supply by absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen. In one year, an acre of trees can absorb as much carbon as is produced by a car driven up to 8700 miles, which equates to 2.6 tons of carbon dioxide each year. The amount of oxygen produced by an acre of trees per year equals the amount consumed by 18 people annually. One tree produces nearly 260 pounds of oxygen each year. Trees also lower air temperature by evaporating water in their leaves, their roots stabilise soil and prevent erosion while improving water quality by slowing and filtering rain water, as well as protecting aquifers and watersheds.
Thirsty Trees
Trees face many challenges in their environments, including the need for water and nutrients to fuel their growth and survival. While trees are able to generate their own food through photosynthesis, they require a consistent source of moisture to support this process. As a result, trees face a greater challenge with thirst than with hunger.
During the summer months, trees are often faced with long periods of drought and must extract water from the soil to stay hydrated. Despite the lack of rainfall, trees are able to extract hundreds of gallons of water from the soil using their roots. However, the warm weather and increased evaporation rates can quickly deplete their water reserves, leaving them vulnerable to dehydration.
To combat this challenge, trees have evolved a clever adaptation to store water from the cold, wet winter season in their trunks. Trees have a unique system of transport tissues known as xylem, which allows them to move water from their roots up to their leaves. When water is plentiful in the winter months, trees store this water in their xylem tissues, which they can draw upon during the summer months to prevent dehydration.
In addition to storing water in their trunks, trees also have adaptations to help reduce water loss. Trees are able to control the size of their stomata, which are small openings on the surface of their leaves that allow for gas exchange. By closing their stomata during periods of drought, trees are able to reduce water loss through transpiration.
Trees that workout
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Trees are remarkable organisms that have evolved various strategies to cope with the physical stresses of their environment, such as wind, rain, snow, and ice. One of the key adaptations that trees have developed to withstand wind is their ability to bend without breaking. However, this flexibility comes at a cost, as it can cause micro-tears in the wood fibers of the tree.
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When a tree bends in the wind, the wood fibers on the outside of the curve are stretched, while the fibers on the inside are compressed. This causes micro-tears to occur in the wood, which can weaken the structure of the tree over time. However, trees have a remarkable ability to repair these micro-tears and strengthen the weakened areas.
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Just like when we exercise and tear our muscle fibres, they grow back bigger and stronger, the micro-tears in trees stimulate the growth of new wood fibres, which are thicker and stronger than the old ones. This process is known as reaction wood or tension wood, and it helps the tree to become more stable and resistant to wind damage.
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However, repairing micro-tears takes energy, which comes at a cost to the tree. Energy that is used to repair micro-tears cannot be used for other purposes, such as growing in length or producing seeds. Therefore, trees must strike a balance between investing energy in repair and investing energy in growth and reproduction.
Gymnosperm & Angiosperm
Gymnosperms are a group of seed-bearing plants that differ from angiosperms, or flowering plants, in that their seeds are not enclosed in an ovary or fruit. Instead, they are exposed on the surface of scales, cones, or other structures. Gymnosperms are an ancient group of plants, with fossils dating back to the Devonian period, over 350 million years ago. Gymnosperms include four main groups: cycads, ginkgos, conifers, and gnetophytes. These groups are diverse and include over 1,000 known species. They are found in a wide range of habitats, from deserts to tundra, and they play important ecological roles as primary producers and habitat providers for a wide range of organisms.
Cycads are palm-like plants that have been around since the Mesozoic era, over 250 million years ago. They have a unique form of pollination, involving insects that are attracted to their cones by heat and scent. Cycads are used for ornamental purposes and have been used in traditional medicine in some cultures.
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Ginkgos are a unique group of gymnosperms, with only one extant species, Ginkgo biloba. This tree is known for its fan-shaped leaves and its use in traditional medicine. Ginkgos are also used as ornamental trees, and their hardy nature makes them a popular choice for urban landscaping.
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Conifers are the largest group of gymnosperms, with over 600 species. They are characterized by their needle-like leaves and their cones, which contain their seeds. Conifers are the dominant trees in many forests, including boreal forests and mountain forests. They are also important for their economic value, as they are used for timber, paper, and other products.
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Gnetophytes are a small group of gymnosperms that are found in tropical and subtropical regions. They have a unique combination of characteristics, including vessel elements in their wood and leaves with a vein network that resembles that of angiosperms. Gnetophytes are used in traditional medicine in some cultures, and some species are also used for food.
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Gymnosperms have played important roles in the evolution of plants and ecosystems. They were dominant during the Mesozoic era, when dinosaurs roamed the earth, and they continue to be important today as habitat providers and primary producers. They are also important for their economic and cultural value, as they are used for timber, paper, medicine, and ornamental purposes.
Angiosperms, or flowering plants, are a diverse and widespread group of plants that have evolved a variety of adaptations to attract pollinators and disperse their seeds. They are characterized by their reproductive structures, which are flowers that produce fruits containing seeds. The seeds are enclosed within an ovary, which develops into a fruit after fertilization.
Angiosperms are found in a wide range of habitats, from deserts to rainforests, and they play a crucial role in many ecosystems. They provide food and shelter for a wide range of animals, including insects, birds, and mammals. Many species of angiosperms also have medicinal properties and are used to treat a variety of illnesses. Angiosperms are also important for agriculture and horticulture. They include many of the world's most important food crops, such as grains, fruits, vegetables, and nuts. In addition, many ornamental plants, including flowers and shrubs, are angiosperms.
The evolution of angiosperms is still a topic of scientific inquiry and debate, but it is generally believed that they first appeared in the Late Jurassic or Early Cretaceous period, about 140 million years ago. Since then, they have diversified into a vast array of species, with new ones still being discovered and described today. In addition to their economic and ecological importance, angiosperms are also important for their scientific value. They have been the subject of extensive research into plant physiology, genetics, evolution, and ecology, and they continue to be an important focus of scientific investigation.
Deforestation
The primary causes of deforestation include urbanization, commercial agriculture, and logging. Urbanization is the process of converting natural areas into cities and towns, which often leads to deforestation. As cities and towns expand, forests are cleared to make way for homes, roads, and other infrastructure. Commercial agriculture is another major cause of deforestation. Forests are cleared to make room for crops, such as soybeans and palm oil, which are used in a variety of products, including food, fuel, and cosmetics. Finally, logging is a leading cause of deforestation, as trees are harvested for use in construction and manufacturing.
The effects of deforestation are far-reaching and devastating. One of the most significant impacts of deforestation is the loss of biodiversity. Forests are home to countless species of plants and animals, and when they are destroyed, these species are lost forever. Deforestation also contributes to climate change, as trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and release oxygen through the process of photosynthesis. When forests are destroyed, this carbon is released back into the atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect and global warming. Deforestation also contributes to soil erosion, water pollution, and the displacement of indigenous communities.
The impacts of deforestation are not limited to local ecosystems. Deforestation has a global impact on climate change. It is estimated that deforestation contributes to around 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, deforestation destroys one of the most effective natural mechanisms for absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The Amazon Rainforest, for example, is often referred to as the "lungs of the planet," as it produces 20% of the world's oxygen. If deforestation continues at its current rate, this vital ecosystem will soon be lost.
There are several potential solutions to deforestation. One solution is to reduce our consumption of products that contribute to deforestation, such as palm oil and soybeans. Another solution is to implement sustainable forestry practices, such as selective logging and reforestation. Selective logging involves harvesting only the mature trees in a forest, leaving younger trees to grow and replenish the forest. Reforestation involves planting new trees in areas that have been cleared of forests.
In conclusion, deforestation is a significant problem with far-reaching and devastating consequences. The primary causes of deforestation are urbanization, commercial agriculture, and logging. The effects of deforestation include the loss of biodiversity, climate change, soil erosion, and water pollution. Deforestation also has a global impact on climate change, contributing to around 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. However, there are potential solutions to deforestation, including reducing our consumption of products that contribute to deforestation and implementing sustainable forestry practices. It is essential that we take action to address this issue before it is too late.
Deforestation is not only emitting CO2 in itself but kills the very creatures that take CO2 in and give us our precious oxygen. Timer is needed for our infrastructure and education, but it must be regulated so that we have millions of more trees planted than what we cut down. Our forest must be maintained, as its connection to all us is essential. They are the lungs of earth and mother nature's health is in our hands.
It's hard to overstate the importance of trees. Their debut more than 300 million years ago was a turning point for Earth, helping transform its surface into a bustling utopia for land animals. Trees have fed, housed and otherwise nurtured countless creatures over time, including our own ancestors. Earth now has 46% fewer trees than it did 12,000 years ago, when agriculture was in its infancy. Yet despite all the deforestation since then, humans still can't shake an instinctive fondness for trees. Their mere presence has been shown to make us calmer, happier and more creative.
RECORD SETTING TREES UK
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Thickest
1. Sessile Oak - 14.02m girth
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2. Sweet Chestnut in Dorset - 14m girth
Wimborne Minster (county of Dorset)
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3. Pedunculate Oak - 13.19m girth
Manthorpe (county of Lincolnshire)
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4. Yew Tree in Hampshire - 11.91m girth
Tallest
1. Douglas Fir in Wales - 67.5m tall
​ Betwys Y Coed (county of Conwy)
2. Sitka Spruce in Scotland - 64m tall
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3. Grand Fir in Scotland - 63.5m tall
Oldest
1. European Yew - 2500 Years Old
​ Ankerwycke Yew, Wraysbury, Staines, England
2. Sessile Oak - 1000+ Years Old
The Big Belly Oak, Savernake Forest in Marlborough, England, United Kingdom
3. Sweet Chestnut - 900 Years Old
The Tortworth chestnut, near St. Leonard's Church in Tortworth, England
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The life of a tree is something we must admire, respect and honour, as these trees stand as a perfect example of how to thrive and prosper. Be connected to what is around you, help each other grow, waste no time as it is precious but take everyday slow.
- By INSTANT TREE
