Sugar maples (Acer saccharum) in fall at The Morton Arboretum (2014-10-25) by The Morton Arboretum and Michael Hudson, independent contractorThe Morton Arboretum
Trees have had a huge impact on human culture. The Buddha’s fig tree, the Tree of Knowledge, Newton’s apple tree - trees from nature and myth have shaped how we see ourselves and the world around us.
Trees are so ubiquitous, you might think you know everything there is to know about our leafy neighbors. But here are some facts that might surprise you...
Plant specimen (2013-08-24) by J. ZapellBRIT Collections
Trees are the largest organisms on Earth
The Pando Tree in Central Utah began as a single seed and has now spread over 106 acres... that's roughly the size of 106 football fields!
[Giant Redwood, Santa Cruz] (1880s) by Carleton WatkinsThe J. Paul Getty Museum
Trees can also be really tall, like the Californian redwoods...
...which can grow to be over 115m high! But this isn't the highest up a tree has ever been, because...
LAUNCH - APOLLO 9 - CAPE (1969-03-03)NASA
Trees have been to space
One small step for a seed, one giant leap for tree-kind. On January 31, 1971, Apollo 14 left on the third NASA trip to the moon, carrying three astronauts and 500 tree seeds into space.
Once back on Earth, these seedlings were planted across the U.S. and became known as the 'Moon Trees'.
Woods06-Polar (2006) by Zu, DoyangKorean Art Museum Association
Trees talk to each other and make friends
Just like us, trees have social networks that scientists have called the 'Wood Wide Web'. Through an underground network of fungi and bacteria they can communicate and share resources.
Kintrishi Protected Areas, Biodiversity Hotspot (2021) by Colchic Rainforests and WetlandsUNESCO World Heritage
Trees make our lives better
Trees clean air and store carbon. They provide food, timber, fuel, and medicine. Scientists call these benefits ‘ecosystem services’. If trees were to disappear, humans would have to pay billions of dollars for these services.
Deforestation in Sabah (2005-09-03) by Andrew McRobbRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew
But they are at risk...
Despite their critical importance to humans and ecosystems, trees are under increasing threat, with around 35% of the world’s trees at risk of extinction. Learn more about rare and threatened species with Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Japanese Apricot 'Bonita' (2011-02-07) by Rebecca BulleneBrooklyn Botanic Garden
From the beautiful to the strange, and from the ancient to the endangered, trees encompass culture, science, art, communities, heritage and more. Here, over 100 global collections come together to offer a glimpse into this fascinating world.
Interested in Natural history?
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