King of the forest ☀️
TUESDAY | 5.20.25
Have you ever looked up and noticed the curious, seemingly intentional pattern of tree branches and how sometimes none of them seem to touch each other? Turns out it is intentional, and it’s a phenomenon known as crown shyness. This is a complex behavior seen in trees where gaps are left between the crowns (the part of a tree consisting of leafy branches above the trunk). It is suggested that this occurs as a result of sharing resources — by eliminating overlap of crowns, each tree can get equal access to nutrients, water, and sunlight. This allows for lower branches to undergo photosynthesis, helps disperse rainfall, and slows down and decreases damage caused by heavy winds. Crown shyness is the key to a healthy forest. And healthy forests are the key to a healthy planet. More proof that we’re all connected. Root around The Roots Issue for more tree talk.
Humans grow too — here’s a 20-year time-lapse of one for proof.
Our Little Green Friend
Okra is a superhero. One, because it’s the namesake of the art director’s pup, and two, because its extracts have been found to remove microplastics from water.
Fact-checking Fungi
If you’re watching The Last of Us, you might still have questions about the whole fungi taking over the world thing. Thankfully, the non-zombie professionals have reassured us with some answers.
Other Good News & Happenings
Sundaes on Sunday across the pond.
Brad Leone f*cking loves radishes.
Finding solace in silence at Japan’s no-talking cafe. Practice those smoke signals.
A chance to win a big ‘ole box of national parks-inspired toilet paper — nature is calling.
Turns out Lorem ipsum actually means something.
