It’s almost that time of year again. The days are getting shorter, and the nights are cooling down somewhat. So, where are the changing leaves? Many people believe that climate change is pushing back the start of fall leaf color to later in the year. The general thinking is that the warmer conditions anticipated under climate change […]
Author: Deanna Goodson
5 Trees That Grow Well In the Shade
5 Trees That Grow Well In the Shade Very few species of trees can manage in shady environments. However, there are some that will adjust to these conditions quite well. The darker the shade, the more challenging it is for any tree to grow correctly. Here are five of the most adaptable trees that grow […]
Climate Change Is Forcing Cities to Rethink Their Tree Mixes
The simple fact is this – cities need to plant more trees, but they need to be selective about what trees they plant. As cities and towns prepare for a massive influx of federal funding to support urban forestry, community leaders say the tree canopy that grows to maturity 50 years from now needs to be painted with […]
How Do Tree Species Link Fungal Partners Across a Large-Scale Forest Ecosystem?
In a study published in Science China Life Sciences, a team surveyed hyper-diverse fungal communities in approximately 500 paired leaf and soil samples. These samples were associated with 55 tree species that are located over 2,000 kilometer span of mountain forests in eastern China. Researchers say that it was easy. They spent two whole years completing […]
What Does the Largest Organism in the World Reveal About Fires and Forests?
Under the Blue Mountains of Oregon, there lurks something massive and prehistoric. It’s the largest recorded organism on Earth. It weighs in at more than 200 blue whales and dwarfs Pando, Utah’s famous grove of quaking aspens. However, this organism is nearly invisible to the untrained eye. What is it, you may ask? Well, it’s a single, […]
Greenery in New York City Absorbs a Surprising Amount of Its Carbon Emissions
A study of vegetation across New York City and some densely populated adjoining areas has found that on many summer days, photosynthesis by trees and grasses absorbs all the carbon emissions produced by cars, trucks, and buses. In fact, it absorbs more than those polluters emit. The surprising result, based on new hyper-local vegetation maps, […]
What Are We Still Learning About How Trees Grow?
What will happen to the world’s forests as the world continues to get warmer? Will the increase of atmospheric carbon dioxide help trees grow, or will extremes in temperature and precipitation hold tree growth back? The answers to these questions depend on whether tree growth is more limited by the amount of photosynthesis or by […]
Nine of the Fastest-Growing Native Trees
Fast-growing trees can not only liven up your outdoor space; they can also be one of the most-effective ways to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. With the increasing practice of carbon farming can take two forms: 1) growing short-lived plants to return carbon to the soil, and growing longer-living trees that store carbon in […]
Urban Trees Rooted in Redlining and Environmental Justice
A University of Maryland-led team discovered that trees in Baltimore reflect the city’s history of institutionalized racism. However, there is a positive note. They have discovered that there have been more recent efforts to counter environmental injustice. Funded by the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, this research is the latest contribution […]
Environmental Scientists Explain Why So Many Tree Species Going Extinct Is So Bad For the Planet
A team of environmental scientists has written a follow-up paper to their study published last year that warned Us about approximately one-third of tree species around the world being in danger of extinction. In this new paper, published in the journal Plants, People, Planet, the group explains why the loss of so many tree species is […]