Trees
How do trees make it rain?
We take a look at the important role trees play in making it rain
“It’s cloned itself to reach a whopping size of 77 square miles.” 6 biggest organisms on the planet including the Humongous Fungus
Whether it’s fungi, plants or animals, here are the biggest organisms found on Earth
This deadly tree is one of the most toxic on the planet, with just 50g of foliage able to kill a human within hours
Old and gnarled, yew trees are a familiar tree in our landscape and are often associated with churchyards. Our expert guide explores this native tree.
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"The poison is quick to act, but will result in a slow and painful death. Symptoms range from vomiting to paralysis…" 8 deadliest seeds on the planet
Beware of these tiny seeds as they're hiding deadly secrets.
It weighs as much as 43 blue whales and spans 43 hectares – but this giant organism isn't what it seems…
Most people think this is an ancient forest dating back to the Ice Age. The truth is far more astonishing…
1,900 giant sequoia trees saved from death in California. This is how
Prescribed burns prevented almost two thousand giant sequoias from dying when wildfires tore through the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in 2020 and 2021 – and they could help more trees survive wildfires in the future, new study suggests.
What's the oldest tree on the planet? Clue – it's older than Stonehenge…
There is some debate surrounding the world's oldest tree. Here's why
“It can cause blurred vision, irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure and potential fatality…”
On the remote island of Socotra, you’ll find a beautiful tree that hides a deadly secret
How to grow an oak tree from a single acorn (it's easier than you think…)
Autumn is the perfect time to try growing an oak tree, here's how
China's giant sinkholes are a refuge for a rare tree – but they're also cutting off its escape route
These enormous depressions offer an endangered species of magnolia tree shelter from heat and drought, while also posing genetic risks that could limit its long-term survival, according to a new study.
A tree that can walk? The 'walking tree' that's said to be able to move itself to a sunnier spot
There's a walking tree? Stuart Blackman investigates a tree that is said to be able to move
"These lethal 20cm thorns cause severe puncture wounds & painful infections." The tree that's still armed against monsters last seen 12,000 years ago
The honey locust gets its name from the sweet pulp within its fruit – but apart from that, there’s nothing sweet about this thorny tree.
"The cones are as big as a rugby ball and weigh up to 40 pounds, more than heavy enough to kill…”
You don’t want to get too close to this tree – it’s not toxic, but it’s still deadly.
“An agonising way to die: it causes whole body convulsions, and the victim is painfully and horribly aware…”
Also called the Asian vomit button tree, the strychnine tree contains one of nature’s deadliest poisons, famously featured in many mystery novels.
It spans nearly 5 acres, grows on competitors and has a habit of strangling its host
Seeds of the banyan tree are small and unlikely to survive on the ground – but it’s found a way to thrive anyway.
One of England’s oldest trees – which loomed over the Sherwood Forest for over 1,000 years – has died. Here’s why
The tree is perhaps best known for its link to Robin Hood’s story – as legend has it, him and his Merry Men used it as shelter for years.
Experts discover ‘The Heaven Sword’ after a decade searching Taiwan’s forests – and it’s taller than a 20-story building
Researchers started out on a quest to find the island's largest tree and were amazed at what they found
“Its fruits explode when ripe, firing toxic seeds in all directions at speeds of up 160mph…”
You’ll want to steer clear of this tree if its moniker ‘dynamite tree’ is anything to go by…
Jungle vs rainforest: what exactly is the difference?
Think they’re interchangeable? Think again. While they might share some of the same tropical features, the difference between a jungle and a rainforest comes down to one crucial thing – light.
“Untreated, the progression is grim: nausea and vomiting give way to cardiac arrest. Death can come within an hour.”
It bears white flowers and green fruit – but hidden inside its seeds is a potent cardiac poison called cerberin.
This may be the most photographed tree on the planet. Here's how it got so famous
The Wānaka Tree, rising from the shallow waters of Lake Wānaka in New Zealand, is a must-photograph for many nature-lovers. But why?
“It’s like being electrocuted and set on fire at the same time…” Discover one of the world's most dangerous trees
This tree is considered one of the world’s most venomous plants, and its painful effects can last for years.
"It drops large cones that weigh 40 pounds apiece – more than heavy enough to kill a passer-by..." 8 most dangerous trees on the planet
From tropical terrors to coniferous killers – here are some tree species you might want to avoid the next time you’re walking in the woods.
Which species are named after Sir David Attenborough? And how many of them are there?
Sir David Attenborough has over 50 species named after him, ranging from a prehistoric marine reptile to a native British flower only found in the Brecon Beacons of South Wales.
