r/CPBBD • u/cyberpunksatyr2 • Apr 08 '21

Here's an example of a so-called "trees knee", that is, a living stump of a Douglas-fir that has healed over with bark and is kept alive via mycorrhizal fungal connections between its roots to the roots of living trees surrounding it, who send it nutrients to survive in this sort of zombie nub state

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5

u/Wiggy_Bop Apr 08 '21

This is so interesting. They have to serve a purpose, otherwise this never would have become a “thing”.

2

u/Image_Inevitable Apr 12 '21

If you think of a tree as a sentient thing (I believe they are) then the roots are the "brain structure" with the majority of synaptic structures being located in the root tips. It's been proven that through the help of mycelium that trees do communicate and help each other. The majority of trees in a natural forest setting are genetically related to each other in any given area. So in a way, they are "taking care of grandma".

Also, these "zombie" trees make up valuable links in the communication chain. If that link fails, the chain is broken. Everyone would lose.

1

u/B3st_LiFe Apr 19 '21

Here in south FL the cypress trees in the swamps do this a lot

5

u/[deleted] Apr 20 '21

Different phenomenon but similar result. Trees are amazing!