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KamaAina

(78,249 posts)
Tue Nov 3, 2015, 06:59 PM Nov 2015

UK's oldest tree is undergoing sex change, botanists say

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/02/uks-oldest-tree-is-undergoing-sex-change-botanists-say

The UK’s oldest tree, thought to be up to 5,000 years old, is undergoing a “sex change”.

Records have always noted the Fortingall Yew in Perthshire as a male tree but it has recently started sprouting berries – something only female yew trees do.

Experts at the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh spotted three berries on a high branch of the tree, located in the churchyard of the village of Fortingall, Perthshire, and have now taken them for analysis as part of a conservation project.

Dr Max Coleman, of the Royal Botanic Garden, said yew trees have been known to change sex before but discovering the process on “such a special tree is what makes this a special story”.


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UK's oldest tree is undergoing sex change, botanists say (Original Post) KamaAina Nov 2015 OP
oooookay? LiberalArkie Nov 2015 #1
Check its passport NV Whino Nov 2015 #2
Quick, go tell every Tea Bagger you... dixiegrrrrl Nov 2015 #3
Done! KamaAina Nov 2015 #4
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