Spruce bark is rich in phenolic compounds that protect trees from pathogenic fungi. A research team at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology in Jena has investigated how these plant defenses ...

Spruce bark beetles don’t just tolerate their host tree’s chemical defenses—they actively reshape them into stronger antifungal protections. These stolen defenses help shield the beetles from ...

I’ve seen a fungus-like growth on several trees in the neighborhood. It’s a pale gray-green color with a frilly texture, and it coats much of the bark on some trunks. Can we do something about this ...

The long lifespan of many trees, which could be centuries or even millennia in the case of a few species, is a source of awe and inspiration for many. The bark of trees can often tell some stories ...