Cosmic rays and tree growth link?

[Penguin]

Im sorry if this was already posted and I didnt notice it -

http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_ne ... 311373.stm

The growth of British trees appears to follow a cosmic pattern, with trees growing faster when high levels of cosmic radiation arrive from space.

Researchers made the discovery studying how growth rings of spruce trees have varied over the past half a century.

As yet, they cannot explain the pattern, but variation in cosmic rays impacted tree growth more than changes in temperature or precipitation.

The study is published in the scientific journal New Phytologist.

Rest at link -

Original study abstract:
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/jour ... 1&SRETRY=0

Was interesting.

[82_28]

Oh man. INDEED!

A couple of years ago I was camping near the base of Mt. Rainier in old growth forest. (Yes I had gotten stoned). But the trees, yes the trees, spoke to me. Literally spoke to me. Or maybe, communed with my psyche in some way. But I couldn't believe how much sense they made.

The trees are essentially a global intelligence that has existed for eons and eons and eons. . . . Intensely more intelligent and simple than any form of technology we have.

They felt sorry for us humans that we must destroy them for our temporary needs. But they do not care. For when we kill them, we will finally kill ourselves. The pinecones, seeds, blossoms are always to be safely buried. They go on, they are more intelligent and patient . It takes many years for a thought to emerge from the global forest, but when it is finally thought it is a thought some humans can detect.

They also "gaze" at the stars every night. Don't know a thing about our technology and don't care. Every night, for sometimes thousands of years, the same vastness of the universe.

They don't mind if we cut them down. We're only killing ourselves. This they understand.

[psynapz]

It takes many years for a thought to emerge from the global forest, but when it is finally thought it is a thought some humans can detect.

Yes. Thanks for sharing that. Awesome.

[monster]

Very cool. I'm currently reading The Body Electric: Electromagnetism and the Foundation of Life right now, and it's good to see another biological link.

I love trees, they have the best chi...

[operator kos]

What's that little green-hatted guy there have in his pipe?

Just a friendly tease; sounds like a beautiful experience.

[psynapz]

What's that little green-hatted guy there have in his pipe?

In his new book, Good Medicine, Great Sex, author David Ford recounts the time he interviewed Bing Crosby in 1962. After the formal interview was over, Ford asked Crosby if "at home you might put a little grass in your famous pipe?"

As Ford tells it: "He looked me right in the eyes and rewarded me with a generous grin and a wink."

[tazmic]

They don't mind if we cut them down. We're only killing ourselves. This they understand.

So, trees don't mind if we kill ourselves. And I always thought they were so lovely...

[Penguin]

I should add that presently their findings are being discussed and disputed.
Some finnish forest researchers have said that they can't see the same in trees in Lapland, or the effect seems smaller - they also commented on the original study in Phytology. I havent yet seen any good discussions of this in english on the net, Ill try to keep my eyes open for any and post them when I happen upon them. Maybe also see if I can access the full text via some e-library later.

(yeah we don't appreciate trees nearly enough as it is)

[ShinShinKid]

Some plants love to be messed with...Take catnip for example.
The more my cats played in it, the bigger it got, until my backyard was like an Amsterdam smokehouse for the neighborhood feline population.
My one cat would literally hug his plant, and bury his face into it.
Some herbs...ahem...love to be picked!

I would wager there are some trees that also enjoy a good rousing, maybe bamboo? Is bamboo a tree?

Man...trees are the greatest!