Articles tagged with Trees
Recent decades saw a significant increase in bristlecone pine growth, with wider rings than at any time in the last 3,700 years. The research suggests that warmer temperatures play a key role in this surge in growth, particularly for trees near treeline.
A recent study found that ancient high-altitude bristlecone pines in the western US are experiencing unprecedented growth rates due to rising temperatures. Trees growing near treeline, typically at elevations above 11,000 feet, showed wider annual growth rings from 1951 to 2000 compared to previous centuries.
Scientists tracked the movement of pollen between African fig trees using genetic tests and field work. The research found that trees pollinated by similar insects can survive if isolated through deforestation due to their increased resistance to forest fragmentation.
A recent study published in HortScience has confirmed that a high diversity of historic apple genotypes remains in homestead orchards in the US Southwest. The research identified 144 genotypes, including 34 cultivars brought to the region by Stark Brothers Nursery and USDA agricultural experiment stations.
A new study investigates the effects of light intensity on pecan leaves throughout the growing season. The research found that shade leaves are less effective in assimilating CO2 than sun leaves, but maintain late-season photosynthetic capacity. This discovery may help commercial growers develop new canopy and crop management practices.
Researchers found that timber harvest has a negative effect on amphibians' later life cycles, causing them to die when they leave the pond, but has a positive impact on their aquatic larval stage, allowing them to grow and thrive in open areas.
Mechanical fruit thinning improves pecan yield and nut quality, leading to increased profit potential. The study found that thinned trees had a higher return crop value in the off-year, offsetting any loss in yield, resulting in overall increased profitability for 'Cape Fear' and 'Sumner' pecan varieties.
Researchers find that removing fruit from 'Pixie' mandarin trees reduces floral intensity of return bloom by inhibiting budbreak. Growers can investigate degrees of fruit thinning or pruning to mitigate alternate bearing, which is exacerbated by holding fruit on the tree to extend commercial harvest period.
Graduate student Scott Egan and his adviser Daniel Funk found that maple and willow leaf beetles diverging into two new species due to ecological habits promoting speciation. The study shows hybrids' lower fitness reduces genetic exchange opportunities between beetle types, pushing groups toward distinct species.
Researchers found that some trees promote fires to limit competition from better tree species, stabilizing savanna ecosystems. Savanna trees like longleaf pine shed needles, providing fuel for frequent low-intensity fires.
Researchers analyzed global warming's impact on four New World monkey species, finding a significant drop in their populations during climate fluctuations. The team used statistical models to investigate how food resources and tree responses related to temperature and rainfall patterns.
A new study suggests that global warming may lead to increased productivity in high-elevation forests of the Pacific Northwest, with potential increases of up to 500% in Washington. However, lower-elevation forests are expected to decline in growth due to drought stress and limited moisture.
Scientists discovered that early hominid Ardipithecus ramidus took its first steps towards bipedalism in a wooded landscape, not the open savanna. The discovery was made using carbon isotope analysis of soil and teeth, which revealed a diet rich in woodland and forest ecosystem.
Researchers studied tree stomatal density, guard cell length, and water use efficiency in 27 trees over a century. They found stomatal density declined while guard cell length increased, but intrinsic water use efficiency remained unchanged.
A team of Tennessee foresters, led by Stacy Clark, is working to reintroduce the American chestnut to eastern US forests. The goal is to create a blight-resistant tree that can thrive in its natural habitat, offering benefits for humans and wildlife.
Researchers at North Carolina State University are using phytoremediation to clean up a contaminated site in Elizabeth City, N.C. through the planting of fast-growing trees like hybrid poplars and willows. The process has shown promising results, with fuel levels decreasing faster than anticipated.
Researchers found that exotic eucalyptus and tropical ash plantations used significantly more water than native ohia trees, with rates of up to 2.5 times higher. The study emphasizes the need for land management plans to consider the water use of different ecosystems.
A team from University of Washington has created a working electronic circuit that runs entirely off the power generated by trees, producing an output voltage of 1.1 volts and consuming just 10 nanowatts of power during operation.
Researchers analyzed three methods of organic apple orchard floor maintenance: alfalfa hay mulch treatment, flame burning technique, and Swiss sandwich system. The Swiss sandwich system emerged as the most suitable combination, particularly with the M.9 RN 29 rootstock, for increasing production under organic protocols.
The Faidherbia acacia tree has the potential to revolutionize African farming by providing a free source of organic nitrogen, increasing crop yields, and improving soil health. Its unique growth habit and adaptability to various climates make it an ideal solution for reversing soil degradation and supporting farmers' livelihoods.
A new study using satellite images found that nearly half of the world's farmed landscapes include significant tree cover, exceeding 10% in over 1 billion hectares. This reveals a vital role of trees in agricultural production globally, providing benefits such as carbon sequestration and nutrition for people.
In 1932, chemist Charles Holmes Herty discovered a method to create high-quality white paper from rapidly renewable southern pine trees, sparking a massive pulp and paper industry in the southeastern US. This led to thousands of new jobs, billions of dollars in economic growth, and the preservation of old-growth forests.
The University of Guam and Guam Navy have partnered to establish a conservation planting of the endangered fadang tree on Tinian, which has been threatened by exotic insect species. The project aims to create a safe haven for the species outside its natural range.
A new study found that treelines are not universally responding to climate warming by advancing, as expected. However, the research revealed an unexpected association between winter temperature warming and treeline advance, contradicting previous views on summer temperatures being the primary control.
Research suggests humans and African apes have distinct wrist bone features that indicate independent evolution of knuckle-walking behavior in two separate lineages. A study examining juvenile and adult wrist bones found key features associated with knuckle walking present in 96% of chimpanzees, but only 6% of gorillas.
Climbing plants have evolved remarkable adaptations to ascend walls and trellises, with various modes of attachment, including twining, leaf-climbing, tendril-bearers, root-climbers, and hook-climbers. These structures enable flexibility and withstand mechanical stresses, allowing vines to efficiently transport water and nutrients.
The University of California, Riverside has released a new mandarin citrus variety called DaisySL, which is sweet to eat and bears very few seeds. Developed by Mikeal Roose and Timothy Williams, the fruit is finely textured and juicy with a rich flavor, making it a promising addition to commercial production.
A Duke University-led research team found that pine trees grown in air with one-and-a-half times the current carbon dioxide level produced twice as many high-quality seeds as those growing under normal conditions. This suggests some woody tree species could outcompete herbaceous plants in the future.
A decline in large-diameter trees in Yosemite National Park is linked to warmer climate conditions, resulting in habitat loss and potential reduction in species such as spotted owls. The study found that fewer new trees will grow in the landscape due to large trees being a seed source for the surrounding area.
Researchers studied orangutan movement to understand how they adapt to challenging environments. Orangutans move with an irregular rhythm, allowing them to cope with tree vibrations and forage safely.
Researchers from the University of Cincinnati have found evidence that ancient Maya people deliberately conserved forest resources. The team discovered that when they abandoned their forest conservation practices, it led to the downfall of the Maya culture due to soil erosion and loss of water retention.
The study found that winter chill in California will decline by up to 80% by the end of the century, making many tree crops unsuitable for growing. Growers may need to develop new tree cultivars and management strategies to mitigate the impact of reduced winter chill.
Researchers discovered that neon blue-tailed tree lizards can glide through the air with ease, thanks to their lightweight bodies. The team found that the lizard's low weight allowed it to generate lift and stay airborne for longer periods, similar to gliding geckos.
Smaller plant species thrive under the canopies of large host plants, utilizing resources and establishing quickly. This challenges traditional views on the role of plant size in competitive ability and community assembly.
Researchers at Duke University found that ferns diversified significantly during the Cretaceous period, when flowering plants dominated plant communities. Ferns adapted by developing the ability to live on light with a red spectrum and becoming epiphytes, thriving in tree canopies.
The development of genetically modified trees is being obstructed by anti-biotech groups and regulations that prioritize process over product. Researchers argue that a regulatory environment focused on scientific case-by-case assessments is necessary to unlock the full potential of forest biotechnology.
Michigan State University scientists combine sustainable forest production with emerging carbon markets to help poorest people grow trees that boost their standards of living and slow climate change. By storing carbon in the soil, farmers can earn money on the global carbon market and use tree products for energy and food.
A Purdue University expert found that only five of 287 crabapple varieties had durable resistance to apple scab, a widespread fungus that can weaken and kill trees. Researchers analyzed 33 years of data to determine which trees maintained or lost resistance over time.
A well-preserved 54-million-year-old skull from the Plesiadapiform group revealed that primitive primates relied more on smell than sight. The study's findings narrow the possibilities for what caused primates to evolve larger brain sizes, contradicting common assumptions about brain structure and evolution.
Researchers used FibroTest attributes to create decision trees for patients with chronic hepatitis C, providing explicit rules to relate biomarker values to fibrosis scores. The study enhances understanding of fibrosis progression and improves classification of preclinical subgroups.
A new study reveals that decades of fragmentation have taken a toll on the sustainability of Wisconsin's forests, reducing native plant abundance and diversity. The effects of urbanization and agricultural dominance are now determining which species can survive in isolated forest patches.
A new hybrid of the American chestnut tree has been developed that can sequester more carbon than other hardwood species. The trees grow faster and larger, allowing them to store more carbon in a shorter amount of time, which could help slow climate change.
Dr. Leo Lombardini is conducting a pioneering study on pecan roots to optimize tree maintenance and nutrient application. His research aims to discover ways to produce higher-quality, more nutritious nuts in an efficient and sustainable manner.
Researchers are exploring alternative biomasses for microorganisms to ferment into ethanol and other fuels. The goal is to unlock the sugars trapped in cellulosic biomass, making it possible to produce sustainable biofuels.
A recent study by NIST and USDA found that trees shading west and south sides of houses decrease summer electricity use, with fast-growing trees providing more benefit. London plane trees can reduce carbon emissions from electricity by up to 31% over 100 years.
A recent study by the American Society for Horticultural Science found that stressors during tree handling and transport, such as root severance, water stress, and mechanical damage, can significantly impact tree health and establishment. Researchers identified key stages in the transplanting process that contribute to reduced growth a...
A recent study by researchers found that certain tree and shrub species are more or less attractive to white-tailed deer, resulting in varying levels of damage. By identifying these preferences, growers can take steps to reduce economic losses, such as harvesting products in late fall and early winter.
A new apple cultivar called WineCrisp has been introduced after 25 years of research, offering a highly productive late-season red apple with a firm texture and dark red color. The fruit is resistant to fungal disease apple scab, reducing costs for growers and promoting environmental sustainability.
A rare beetle, Agrilus coxalis, has attacked 67 percent of oak trees in an area east of San Diego, threatening fire danger and wildlife habitats. The beetle's origin and spread are still unknown, but research is needed to determine its distribution, seasonal active periods, and natural enemies.
Scientists found that temperatures alone can kill drought-stressed piñon pine trees 28% faster, leading to 5 times more frequent die-offs. Carbon starvation is the primary mechanism behind tree mortality, and understanding this relationship is key to predicting future patterns.
Researchers found that temperate forests in eastern North America can store more carbon than previously believed, with potential to accumulate up to two-fold higher than current estimates. The study suggests that forest management practices may be more important than intrinsic limits on carbon storage.
A study published in HortScience found that herbicide drift is causing 'leaf tatters' on white oak trees, reducing their canopy health. The research recommends timing herbicide applications before or after leaf unfolding to prevent injury.
Researchers have identified new alternative substrates to pine bark and peatmoss, finding that landscape annuals can thrive in ground pine tree and pine bark substrates. The study showed comparable foliage growth, flower density, and root proliferation for plants grown in both substrates.
Ice storms cause significant damage to pecan trees, particularly those less than 15 feet tall, with cleanup costs varying greatly depending on tree size and labor supervision. Researchers provide information on effective cleanup procedures and economic impact of ice storms on pecan production.
A Brown University-led team has documented the unique landing approaches of three bat species, including a tree-roosting bat that executes a four-point landing and two cave-roosting bats that perform a two-point landing. The study sheds new light on how bats evolved and could provide insights into their widespread success.
Researchers successfully used satellite images to monitor the extent of saltcedar leaf beetle defoliation on tamarisk. The study suggests that controlling tamarisk through beetle release may have unexpected environmental repercussions.
A 30-year study reveals that drought causes massive carbon loss in tropical forests, mainly through killing trees, posing significant threat to climate change mitigation. The Amazon forest absorbs nearly 2 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide annually but lost more than 3 billion tonnes during the 2005 drought.
New research finds hemlock woolly adelgid is killing hemlock trees faster than expected, altering the carbon cycle of these forests. The study suggests that infrequent frigid winter temperatures may not be enough to suppress adelgid populations, leading to rapid decline and mortality.
A 10-year study on orchard ground cover management systems found substantial differences in root growth, turnover, and distribution among different GMS treatments. Hardwood bark mulch and post-emergence herbicide treatments produced more tree growth and higher yields than others.
Research shows that coffee cultivation under shade trees can preserve forest plant and animal diversity in areas with deforestation. In contrast, growing coffee in forests leads to a decline in species richness of forest birds. This study highlights the importance of sustainable land use practices in conserving biodiversity.