At first glance , planting tree to foreclose forest fires sounds a flake backwards . However , scientist are subverting expectations with their discovery of a fire - resistant tree .
The tree diagram in doubt is the Mediterranean Cypress , and its properties were explored in theJournal of Environmental Management .
The find was made after a tragedy . A plot of land in Spain originally devote to research a deathly tree pathogen glow to the ground in 2012 . The researcher were devastated but then , surprisingly , among the ash was a bright patch of green . Where the vulgar oaks , pine tree , junipers and holm oaks had drop dead , the Mediterranean cypresses endured .
In fact , only 1.27%of the cypress tree tree caught fire . you’re able to see the remarkable glimmer of green in this picture of the consequence of the fire .
THE MEDITERRANEAN CYPRESS WERE RESISTANTS TO desolation OF WILDFIRE IN THE SPAIN PROVINCE VALENCIA IN 2012.pic.twitter.com/vWgIO9Pste
— OSCAR FREDY POSSO VI ( @osfpovi)September 2 , 2015
The team love that this was unlikely to be a fluke , so they started to analyze on the button what gives cypress tree trees their flame - tolerant property . It release out that it ’s all to do with the tree ’s healthy water - retentiveness organisation .
The folio have a eminent H2O content , which they can keep even during raging and dry season . The chubby pine phonograph needle also do n’t dry out out when the tree spill them , and mob up on the ground around the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , trapping water . This spongelike heap acts as a dampener for attack and further protect the pines from hot flames .
Mediterranean Cypress trees could be grown in regions where wildfire is commonplace chance . For exercise , lines of them could be establish as firebreak to protect local tree diagram .
The researchers are now exploring whether there are any specific compound in cypress trees that make them even more resistant to flame than other specie . Who knows how this fire resistant branch of vegetation might grow in the future ?
