Another Giant Tree Attempt
I want to propose a new method for tree growth to exceed the max of 120 or 130 meters restricted by Earth's gravity. I propose for the tree to rely very little on its base or roots. The living part of the tree really only encompasses the top 100 meters of the tree and some its bark. The trees are are hollow with a foam like inside that incorporates metals from the soil to strengthen its tissues. I would like to know what metal or minerals from the soil it would need to incorporate into its tissues as it grows.
General Biology:
- Gathers most water and nutrients from the canopy ecosystem
- Found in environments with frequent rain but not harsh storms or hurricanes
- Lifespan of thousands of years
- Live on an Earth analog planet (same gravity, etc.)
- Live on a planet with non-toxic metals abundant in surface soils (platinum, tungsten, titanium)
Edit: The tree uses a U-shapes tube that is along the side of the tree going from the bottom all the way to the top 100 meters of the tree. The tree excretes metals and minerals into the tube at the bottom and then water is flooded into the tube by the tree from the top, allowing minerals to be distributed into the tissues higher up in the canopy as the tube is flooded.
Question: How much could the tree increase its height after incorporating minerals into the non-living foam or web like tissues of the tree?
This post was sourced from https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/q/160001. It is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
0 comment threads