Tree Siestas

Scientists from Finland and Austria recently conducted a new study. And the results were interesting. They learned that trees sleep. The scientists used lasers to scan two silver birch trees. The lasers scanned the position of branches and leaves. They put infrared light on different parts of the trees. And they measured the movements with the lasers. They found that the branches and leaves were relaxed at night. The changes were surprised.

The leaves and branches seem to “wake up.” The branches and leaves move back into daytime position. There was a difference of about 10 centimeters between daytime and night time positions. Humans have internal clocks. The group of scientists believe trees have internal clocks, too. But they aren’t sure why branches and leaves move at night. They suspect it is because of the water inside the trees. The scientists want to study to water movement next.