Scientist: Changing Leaves are Just Trees Going Potty
- Posted on October 25, 2010 at 9:29am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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In grade school most of us were taught that changing leaf colors were the result of falling temperatures. But a British scientist is now adding a more complex explanation: the leaves aren‘t just turning colors because it’s cold, they’re changing because the trees are going to the bathroom.
Professor Brian Ford, president of the Cambridge Society for the Application of Research, believes leaf drop occurs in order to excrete waste products from the tree. In his research he found that shortly before leaves fall, levels of potentially harmful components such as tannins and oxalates in them increase.
“The levels of heavy metals in abscised leaves are also raised, and they are clearly there to be excreted rather than stored,” he told the London Telegraph.
“In autumnal landscapes, when plants leaves turn red and brown and are suddenly shed it is important to bear in mind what is happening,” he adds. “The plants are having their annual, well, excretion.”
“It does, though, mean that the colouration of leaves in autumn will never seem quite the same again.”
It also may give you pause the next time you are tempted to step on a crunchy leaf.
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Comments (62)
moriarty70
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 1:07pm@Black Phoebe
1) Considering how far down most trees get their core nutrients, they don’t reabsorb the decomposed material right away.
2) Just because it‘s cyclical doesn’t mean it’s not true. It just means they get rid of the material that would probably be a burden during the sparse season.
Report Post »Ginger Taylor
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 12:27pmPrettiest poop ever.
Report Post »Bluefish49
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 12:24pmWhat are pine cones then?
Report Post »Okpulot Taha
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 12:33pmBLUE FISH 49 is curious, “What are pine cones then?”
Severe constipation.
Okpulot Taha
Report Post »Choctaw Nation
seanpatriot
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 12:18pmWho cares? Will this change anything about us? NO
Report Post »Randyrocker
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 12:15pmI guess to this scientist, that means humans raking leaves = humans acting as earth’s toilet paper.
Report Post »Ruler4You
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 12:06pmI have to tell you I never heard of either theory in “school”. The theory I was taught was that the tress went into a type of ‘hibernation’ when the angle of the sun dropped photosynthetic production of food below a certain level necessary for the tree to adequately feed itself.
But then it’s not nearly as sophisticated as the “potty” theory.
Report Post »Lonescrapper
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 11:36amEach tree should be fined for public indecency and for defecating in public. Then we can discuss what fines should be exacted for illegal disposal of toxic waste.
Report Post »pcantidote
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 11:52amwith higher fines for the taller trees (i.e. the rich trees) who reached their heights at the expense of the smaller trees.
Report Post »ravinginfidel
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 11:35amDoes this mean if your tree is over a toxic waste zone, and heavy metals and toxins are concentrated in the shed leaves. You could over time reduce toxicity in an area by raking and removing leaves. In a heavily toxic area I would think leaf burning could be dangerous where heavy metals were concerned.
Report Post »pcantidote
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 11:28amI was taught that the leaves change colors because of decreaseing sunlight, not a change in temps.
Report Post »just the facts
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 11:18amAnd this guy is a professor??? He teaching our kids this????? He’s a idiot.
Report Post »meisterschaft
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 5:36pmWell…he is a “professor” in another country…..but you are right our kids might as well be learning this crap here in the US.
Report Post »usamom
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 11:17amhttp://www.buzzle.com/articles/why-do-leaves-change-color.html
Report Post »Okpulot Taha
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 11:16amWe use trees to make toilet paper. What do trees use for toilet paper?
A thought occurs to me. Humans are the only living creatures who use toilet paper. Why? Is this we have devolved to such a state we do not have sense enough to not make a mess of ourselves?
Okpulot Taha
Report Post »Choctaw Nation
Waiting4George
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 10:56amI so stupid. I not know what mean biochemical processes.I so stupid I caint larn scientific terms.Trees go potty. Athiest elitist tax payer funded scientists go home.
Report Post »Legal Immigrant
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 10:55am“…believes leaf drop occurs in order to excrete waste products from the tree. In his research he found that shortly before leaves fall, levels of potentially harmful components such as tannins and oxalates in them increase. …”
Oh my. The Gheyans are going to push the EPA to declare leaves “pollution”.
Report Post »LukeAppling
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 10:48amThis comment about trees going potty makes as much sense as most of the “scientific” studies revealed in the “climate-gate e-mails fiasco a year ago.The “scientists” are using climate change or Global warming or global cooling or whatever they call it when the facts elude them is not about the environment or the earth it is only about paid grants by government to scientists to continue to delude the public where Al Gore, Bill Clinton, The tides Foundation, George Soros, Chicago Climate Exchange and the many other devious people and companies who are clamoring to get in on the windfall of Cap & Trade and more non-sense. Please wake up and study the facts IT IS A HOAX folks.
Report Post »kindling
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 10:37amI love it, I tell my teen kids that eggs are just chicken periods and if there is a rooster it is an abortion. I also tell them hay fever is just our bodies reaction to plant sex in our nose and lungs.
Report Post »heidi586
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 10:29amInteresting theory. Makes sense that a tree would soak up toxins and such and need to shed them. As for “In grade school most of us were taught that changing leaf colors were the result of falling temperatures.” Really, I believe it is due to the amount of sunlight. Here in WI. the leaves begin to change in Aug.
Report Post »AnOregonian
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 9:15pmYes, both lowering temperatures and diminishing photo periods perpetuate “fall colors”. I’d have to see core samples to determine if the systemic action of the “toxins” were indeed in the foliage exclusively.
The theory is kinda poopy itself.
Closer to the truth would be to suggest if not for plant poop, the bi product of photosynthesis; we would all be dead. Further more, our collective poop, ( CH4: Methane & CO2 ) from both ends respectively, contributes to the health and vigor of plants; and that ain’t no S#^t
Report Post »adifftake
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 10:21amYou had to spend how much money to figure out a living thing eliminates waste? I’ll stick with the sapp is leaving the leaves for the winter to be stored in the roots. What a knucklehead. How much did he pay for his education?
Report Post »Colonial Revolutionary
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 10:09amAnd this in news why? Seems like more and more dumb stories being posted here.
Report Post »adifftake
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 10:22amthe tabloid of the net.
Report Post »Race
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 10:22amSilly season filler. Stories with REAL content would be much appreciated here.
For instance, this morning I read on Bloomberg that the gov’t is supposedly making money from all those toxic assets they bought up. Now how is it that the gov’t can make money on this junk, but the banks couldn’t? Inquiring minds wanna know……….
Report Post »Colonial Revolutionary
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 11:34amAnd I watched a video of a political debate put on by the Women League of Voters. Before the begining of the debate a point of order was raised by a member of the audience as to wether they were going to stand and say the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. The moderator started droning on as to why they were not going to say it and the audience all stood up and started to recite it anyway. Now that is a story, but sadly I have not seen much news of it.
http://www.redstate.com/moe_lane/2010/10/22/the-2010-election-cycle-crystallized
Report Post »Peraslax
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 12:04pmwow, wasnt anyone actually around when this sight started? It was stated clearly that there are plenty of “Politics only” sites out there so this site was going to cover a whole range of issues, Not just politics. Every time there is a non political story posted, people start slamming the merits of the story being posted here. If you want politics only, go to a different site or go start your own. Quit trying to turn this site into something it isnt.
Report Post »5
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 9:53amIt’s because Speaker Pelosi Increased National Dept $5 Trillion Since She Vowed,
‘No New Deficit Spending’
The ‘1st’ speaker to the ‘57th’ passed $5 Trillion Dollar mark.
Nancy “Stretch” Pelosi spent $5 Trillion in 3 years.
Now instead of your Grandchildren owing your
Report Post »Great Great Great Grandchildren owe $41,000 and in 2 years it will be $78,000
If you want change vote out these bums, in two years do it again, and again.
starman70
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 9:43amONLY IN BRITIAN! This dude is a cook! I guess he blames it all on global warming. In all of Europe the mantra is: Open mouth, insert foot, win the Nobel Prize.
Report Post »Deutscher
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 9:57amWhy the euro science hate? IF he were to win a Nobel ( and he won’t) it would be a prize in biology. I’m not sure which past winners from Europe in this field of study have even stuck their foot in thier mouth. What are you referring to?
Report Post »wingedwolf
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 9:43amThe leaves change color and fall because they are deciduous. I guess you could say that they have to rd themselves of the old in order to produce the new, but this way of saying it only goes to prove that America is being deliberately dumbed down. Want proof? Reading this book stunned me. It’s free on pdf:
Report Post »Please pass this around. It is the best evidence for homeschooling or making our own private schools.
http://www.deliberatedumbingdown.com/MomsPDFs/DDDoA.sml.pdf
moriarty70
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 9:59amFirst, he’s British and told this to a British paper, nothing to do with the States there.
Second, it’s a blut, childish way to put it, but it’s still an interesting side note. If a tree picks up chemicals and minerals that it doesn’t need and in large quanitites, aquired over years, would be harmful, then it would only make sense that there would be a way to get rid of them. Not something I‘d ever considered before but I’m glad somebody did. We know more about the world now then we did before this study and that’s always a good thing.
Report Post »Deutscher
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 10:20am@moriarty. Agreed. All resparation has byproducts , and organisms must deal with toxins. I would not have thought of this as part of that process.
Report Post »Alexandra1214
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 9:42amGood one Bob ….
Report Post »BoilitDown
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 9:41amDoes a tree poop in the woods? This is just too easy for potty jokes. I’ll shut up now.
Report Post »MJ1025
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 10:04amIf a tree poops in the woods, and no one sees or smells it, did it really happen?
Report Post »meisterschaft
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 5:37pmDepends, if your walking in the woods next to the tree that pooped and step in it…..then it happened. :-)
Report Post »Bob_R_OathKeeper
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 9:32amIs this like when Obama opens his mouth, he goes potty?
Report Post »Deutscher
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 9:43amI’m not sure why the story is posted here, but that’s a pretty low-brow attempt to link it in I think.
wingedwolf
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 9:49amYes, but when this guy goes potty, he does it all over America and Americans. This is just sickening. Very good 25 minute documentary on BQI’s blog! See it, Blaze people and show your friends. It‘s called Breaking Point and it’s on BQI’s front page. http://www.blackquillandink.com You won’t regret it!
Report Post »Bob_R_OathKeeper
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 9:55amIt’s only low-brow to Commies, good luck with that.
Report Post »Deutscher
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 10:02amWow. Now name-calling. As an adult I was making the point that this is a science post. I would think there would be some science commentary.
Report Post »Bob_R_OathKeeper
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 10:02amDeutscher – I bet you don’t find it low-brow to connect Bush to everything that has happened in the last two years though, funny how that works.
Report Post »Deutscher
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 10:15amI‘m not sure why you think I’m a communist, or that you have some ( false) insight as to what I think. It’s a science story. I know this is a political site and if you had seen previous posts you would have an indication as to my politics. I’m not sure why the story was posted here. I thought it vaguely interesting at best. But was hoping for some comments that were related to the story. Not more of the simple Obama criticism.
Report Post »“Obama lies” “I hate Obama” “Obama is liberal/Marxist/…”. Yes yes yes.
I was just hoping for another conversation here that’s all.
Sorry if I hurt your feelings.
snowleopard3200
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 10:15amSo now the eco-enviormental extremists may have another thing to rant and rave about while dancing in their war paint about the fires of torched SUV’s? Whoopy…
http://www.artinphoenix.com/gallery/grimm (art)
Report Post »FIRED UP FREE MAN !
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 11:42amToday’s Daily Rant Brought to YOU by Fired Up Free Man !
Revolution is in the air! People are tired of the sterile environment enforced upon them by THEIR government. We’re taxed the minute we wake up in the morning till we fall exhausted into our beds at night. There should be no bill passed that doesn’t have the extinction of at least five more laws. The trouble with the drug laws is that as soon as government is given a reason to interfere in privet lives they feel free to insinuate themselves into all aspects of our lives. We are either free or we are NOT. A man’s home used to be his castle instead our politicians have interfered with our CHILDREN, our HOMES, even our PERSONAL lives, it’s time to WAKE UP and fight back! It’s unfortunate that people use drugs, but still it’s none of the governments business. Are we free or are we not? Everybody must be responsible for their own actions. There will be winners and losers but at least this way there are some winners.
Come and add to the daily rant of Fired Up Free Man’s Facebook page!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fired-UP-Free-MAN/118250461570054?v=app_2373072738&ref=sgm
Marcobob69
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 11:56amI‘m surprised it isn’t the result of “Global Warming”, like everything else that happens naturally is deemed to be! What a bunch of bull excrement “Global Warming” is, in my opinion! Just another excuse to “sock it to” the people by the left wing loonies.
Report Post »Black Phoebe
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 12:18pmNo, Obama isn’t that smart. In truth the ‘potty’ comment about trees shows ignorance. Deciduous trees drop their leaves because of cold temperatures. Frozen leaves are a burden to the tree: the tree would have to keep replacing them, and this would weaken the tree. Instead, the leaves are dropped around the tree, which allows decomposition of the leaves into humus, thus recycling resources. In addition, the trees ‘send’ certain substances to the leaves, as well as removing and storing other substances from the leaves. It’s a two way deal. The chemistry of the surrounding soil is altered, readying it for regrowth of the tree leaves in spring. To say that a tree can jettison bad stuff and not have it re-absorbed from the decomposed leaves is just nonsense. They’re teaching this craziness to school kids?
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 12:29pmThankyou for the link Wingedwolf, the story above doesn’t say anything really interesting but your link was good.
Report Post »moonpeace
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 12:45pmDeutscher, believe me, we can’t be thin skinned around here. Don‘t get upset if you’re not reading what you expect to read. These days, especially, everything is going to be tied to Obama. And why not, since he is the cause of so many of our problems, he probably has something to do with the leaves dying too…and I’ll bet Al Gore was in on it too.
Report Post »godlovinmom
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 1:38pmI think this story is important…only because a so-called man of science said this…any two year old’s mommy could of come up with this one…this is exactly why our Lord said they became so wise they became foolish….
Report Post »MCGIRV
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 2:59pmHa ha ha!
Report Post »meisterschaft
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 5:34pmsnowleopard3200:
Seriously, please stop promoting your personal “artwork”, if you have pertinent info on the articles then that’s fine….otherwise promote your “stuff” elsewhere.
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