Month: March 2025

I learned that trees exhibit a phenomenon called crown shyness, “застенчивость кроны” (see attached picture). Interestingly, it is observed only between the crowns of different trees (not different species, just different trees), but not between branches of the same tree. There’s no definitive explanation, only hypotheses. Apart from the mechanical theory, which inadequately explains its own branches but has weak evidence, there’s also a theory related to light exposure and a chemical theory. Both are somewhat questionable.

Furthermore, I found out that a vast clonal colony of quaking aspen is growing in Utah, USA. It’s the heaviest organism on the planet, all trees of which share the same genetic makeup and root system, covering an area of 43 hectares, and weighing approximately 6000 tons, making it the heaviest known organism. Its origins are estimated to be around 80,000 years old.

Additionally, I recently read that trees communicate with each other via mycorrhizal fungi. They warn their kin about animals that feast on them and pest attacks, and they also share nutrients and water with each other. In Africa, it has been observed that when giraffes start eating the leaves of acacias, the trees begin to release signaling pheromones, which “warn” neighboring trees downwind, and those trees start producing tannins and bitter chemicals. As a result, the giraffes find such tastes disagreeable and move on to search for another group of trees.