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Forestry

Clear-cut forest near Eugene, Oregon

‘Finding the Mother Tree’ explores the intricate communication networks within a forest

Environment

An intricate web of roots and fungi connects life in an old growth forest, allowing ancient “mother trees” to nourish and protect their kin. In her new book, “Finding the Mother Tree: Discovering the Wisdom of the Forest,” ecologist Suzanne Simard reveals what she’s discovered about these connections through decades of experiments with trees.

A fire burns at night in the jungle.

Amazon fires: 8 ways you can help stop the rainforest burning

Environment
A person walks through the woods surrounded by greenery.

Take a dip in the woods: Scientists say ‘forest bathing’ is good for you

Health
a firetruck next to a forest fire in california

A perfect storm of factors is making wildfires bigger and more expensive to control

Environment
Tropical forest Indonesia

Tropical forests are becoming net carbon producers, instead of carbon sinks

Environment
Ancient Beech Forest Germany

‘The Hidden Life of Trees’ asks us to rethink our relationship to the world’s forests

Environment

According to Greek mythology, trees in a certain grove spoke with the gift of prophecy. There are many stories of talking trees, from the Disney film Pocohontas to the Lord of the Rings. Now, a German forester says trees actually can talk — at least to each other.

Trees line a busy street in New York. The city is trying to plant 1,000,000 trees to offset climate effects.

Forest ecologists are working to make New York’s concrete jungle a little greener

Environment

New York is often seen as a proving ground for traits like perseverance and determination — “If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere,” as the song goes. It turns out the same thing is true for the city’s trees.

Technology is allowing us to watch the world’s forest disappear in real time, and hopefully halt it

Environment

New mapping technology is helping activists and companies pinpoint exactly where tropical deforestation is happening, down to the individual tree. It’s a potentially powerful new tool for identifying who’s responsible for illegal cutting and getting companies to clean up their supply chains.New mapping technology is helping activists and companies pinpoint exactly where tropical deforestation is happening, down to the individual tree. It’s a potentially powerful new tool for identifying who’s responsible for illegal cutting and getting companies to clean up their supply chains.

Highly touted REDD program still looking for footing in Indonesia, four years later

Environment

The REDD program, facilitated by the United Nations, seeks to preserve crucial forests using financial incentives and markets. But in four years since opening shop in Indonesia, the program has struggled to make a meaningful start.

The World

Paper Trees in Precious Ground

Plantation industries have taken root across much of Southeast Asia’s peatland forests, disturbing habitat with the highest carbon content in the world. The release of carbon from Indonesia’s vast and deep peatlands has made this developing country the world’s third largest greenhouse gas emitter. Some forest experts say slowing this release could be one avenue for quick action on global warming. But how and whom to pay to stop Indonesia’s carbon hemorrhaging in places like Riau province remains unclear.