The Reality Check TRC #715: Mashup: Trees
Sep 9, 2025
Owen Clarkin, a tree expert with a chemistry doctorate, shares fascinating insights into the world of trees and their vital role in the environment. He discusses the significance of annual rings and longevity, along with innovative research methods that protect tree health. The conversation also touches on the misunderstood Amazon rainforest, debunking myths about its role as the Earth's lungs. With humor interspersed, listeners are encouraged to appreciate the mood-enhancing benefits of nature and the importance of informed environmental discourse.
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Childhood Sparked A Lifelong Tree Obsession
- Owen Clarkin started identifying trees as a child using a book called Native Trees of Canada and it became a lifelong passion.
- His chemistry doctorate is unrelated but made him a well-rounded tree enthusiast.
Tree Age Revealed By Ring Cores
- Scientists determine old tree ages by counting annual rings from cores extracted with an incremental borer.
- This method replaced older destructive sampling like cutting down ancient bristlecone pines.
Tropical Trees Lack Clear Annual Rings
- Tropical trees often lack clear annual rings because growth depends on episodic events like rainfall rather than distinct seasons.
- Ring-counting gives less reliable ages in the tropics compared to temperate zones.