Thought you’d enjoy a little quiet time at Red River this summer? Get away from conflict for a few days, out where everything is peaceful? Maybe not, according to researchers.
Plant ecologists Ray Dybzinski and David Tilman have produced a new paper theorizing that trees not only use their roots to collect water and nutrients, but also to fight nearby trees for a little elbow room. Apparently, the 11-year study showed that trees produce more roots than they need to maintain life, “probably not to help them grow more successfully, but rather to cause other trees to grow less successfully.”
According to the New York Times, Dr. Dybzinski and his colleagues report that the overabundant roots act as weapons of sorts to prevent other trees from growing. Similar to the way trees will grow tall to reach sunlight, shading out less successful trees, the extra roots help to keep other trees at bay and ensure their own success.
If there was no competition, trees wouldn't need to grow so tall or send out so many roots. "If they could somehow agree to cooperate and not compete, they could all stay closer to the ground and do something else with that energy, like create seeds," Dybzinksi told the New York Times. Sage advice for trees and for people.
So when you're out in the woods this summer enjoying a respite from your own battles, keep in mind that it's a jungle out here, too. ;-)
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