Tag: trees
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24 hours in the botanical 8th continent
Tree day by Meg Lowman explores the intricate biology and ecology of trees, focusing on 24 species through personal anecdotes and insights from her extensive fieldwork. The book emphasizes the ecological significance of tree canopies and is a charming introduction to tree biology, and the daily life of an arbornaut.
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Celebrating dendrochronology and dendrochronologists
In the Circle of Ancient Trees, edited by Valerie Trouet, explores dendrochronology and its significance through ten extraordinary tree species. The book combines scientific insight with human interest stories from dendrochronologists, highlighting the intertwined relationship between trees and society. Engaging essays are complemented by illustrations, though source citation remains a…
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Pulling the stuffing out of plants…
Jonathan Drori’s book, the stuff that stuff is made of, explores the crucial role of plants in human life. Featuring 30 plants, it blends factual information with engaging illustrations, anecdotes, and humour to bridge plant-awareness gaps. Intended for readers aged 7 to 100, it aims to inspire curiosity and appreciation…
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Solar eclipses and ‘talking trees’
Researchers found that spruce trees exhibit synchronized bioelectrical responses before and during a solar eclipse, potentially anticipating the event up to 14 hours in advance. Despite concerns over small sample sizes and the media’s sensationalist interpretations, the study suggests deeper ecological communication among trees, emphasizing the preservation of older trees…
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The shockingly beneficial effects of lightning on trees
The post discusses the dual nature of lightning’s impact on the environment. While it can kill trees, particularly in tropical forests, certain species like Dipteryx oleifera benefit from strikes by eliminating competing vegetation Additionally, lightning facilitates nitrogen fixation, promoting plant growth by contributing essential nutrients to the soil.
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Intriguing uses of wood: future…
This post feature futuristic uses of wood uses – a wooden satellite from Japan and the development of super-black wood by UBC researchers. The satellite, LignoSat, which is encased in magnolia wood, is due to be launched to the ISS in September 2024. The super-black wood, named Nxylon, offers various…
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Intriguing uses of wood: present…
Unusual Present-day uses of wood include innovative materials such as engineered transparent wood (ETW) and wooden circuit boards. ETW, with 80% light transmittance, is a sustainable alternative to glass and can be used in solar cells, windows, and decorative materials. Researchers are also exploring wood-based materials for sustainable electronics in…
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Intriguing uses of wood: past…
Archaeological findings in Germany validate Julius Caesar’s description of sharpened wooden stakes in his military campaign. Additionally, discoveries such as a “seahenge” and insights into mammoth-hunting highlight uses of wood by humans in days long gone.
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Wood gets 50% more interesting
The traditional classification of tree wood as hardwood or softwood has been challenged by a recent study by Jan Lyczakowski & Raymond Wightman, which identified a new category called “midwood.” This newly discovered wood type, as observed in Liriodendron tulipifera and L. chinense, may play a role in efficiently storing…
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Kew’s imaginative pocketbooks, Part 1
Titles in Kew’s Pocketbook series, featuring books with 40 botanical paintings from Kew’s extensive archive, showcases diverse plant groups and collections. Each book, lavishly includes plant examples, and an expert introduction. Although there is an unevenness in text to accompany the illustrations between titles, the series offers valuable collections of…
Plant Cuttings 