General Tree Biology Trees and the Environment Record-setting Trees Trees and Science Contact Us

Home > Fun Facts About Trees > Trees and Science

Trees and Science

• Dendrochronology is the science of calculating a tree's age by its rings.
• Tree rings provide precise information about environmental events, including volcanic eruptions.
• A mature birch tree can produce up to 1 million seeds per year.
• Moon trees were grown from seeds taken to the moon by Stuart Roosa, Command Module pilot of the Apollo 14 mission of January 31, 1971. The effort included 400-500 seeds, which orbited the moon on the first few days of February 1971. NASA and the USFS wanted to see if being in space and in the moon's orbit would cause the seeds to grow differently than other seeds.

	News
	National Register of Big Trees Big trees are symbols of all the good work trees do for the quality of the environment-and our quality of life. MORE >> Green Parking II: Putting Parking Lots to Work Green parking lots are defined as those that are designed to do environmental work. Parking lots should be designed to reduce the use of energy, improve environmental quality and to ensure more healthy conditions for people. Further, parking lots should be planned and designed to reflect regional landscape types. Plant materials and other materials of construction must be used in ways that will support this objective. MORE >> Hot Topics "Hot Topic" press releases fro the USDA newsroom ranging from current pest alerts for specific regions of the United States to new trends in disease prevention and tree and plant care. MORE >> Don't Move Firewood! Camping Season is fast approaching. Please remember to not transport firewood. Tree-killing insects and diseases can lurk in firewood. These insects and diseases can't move far on their own, but when people move firewood they can jump hundreds of miles. New infestations destroy our forests, property values, and cost huge sums of money to control. MORE >> National Tree Benefits Calculator Make a simple estimation of the benefits individual street-side trees provide. With inputs of location, species and tree size, users will get an understanding of the environmental and economic value trees provide on an annual basis. For more detailed information on urban and community forest assessments, visit the i-Tree website. MORE >>

"Trees are the best monuments that a man can erect to his own memory. They speak his praises without flattery, and they are blessings to children yet unborn." - Lord Orrery, 1749

	Resources
	Tree Care Poster Set Set of three posters- $24.95 Great for classroom and community education. Available through the ISA Web store Preparation is Key to Preventing Storm Damage to Trees Are you and your trees safe from the possible wrath of Mother Nature? MORE >>