The Secret Life Of Trees
Trees can fight back—no, really. But don't expect them to swing their branches around in the hopes of swatting an enemy away. If a tree senses an attack, it first identifies a predator and then responds in accordance. For instance, acacia trees release ethylene gas to ward off giraffes from nibbling on their leaves, and the gas also acts as a warning to other trees that danger is nearby.
In other species, they can summon other predators to get rid of pests that nibble on their leaves. A tree can identify the saliva of a bug and release a specific pheromone that attracts birds or specific animals that eat that particular bug. In other cases, trees release toxic chemicals that make their leaves bitter. Want to share your fun facts, too? Post them below or in another thread here.
