See the Undeniable Proof That Trees Can Be Shy!

Trees look beautiful from any angle, but we don’t often get the chance to view them from above. In this extraordinary and mesmerizing clip, we get a bird’s eye view of some magnificent trees in a forest. They are showing a phenomenon called ‘crown shyness.’ The trees shy away from each other so their branches do not touch. Watch the incredible sight right now.

See the Incredible Clip Now

What Is Crown Shyness?

In some forests, you can see channel-like spaces between the outermost branches of the trees above. This type of growth, creating a border between different trees, is known as crown shyness. It was first recognized in the 1920s; ever since then, scientists have been speculating about how it happens.

This phenomenon is not apparent in all tree species. It’s seen most often in Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi), black mangrove (Avicennia germinans), and lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta). It’s also seen in several species of eucalypt. While you’re more likely to see it between trees of the same species, it has also been noted in trees of different species. A typical example is spiny hackberry (Celtis spinosa) and amberoi (Pterocymbium beccarii). 

What Causes Crown Shyness Seen in Trees?

One theory is that gaps are formed when the wind moves through the tree canopy. This causes abrasion between trees of a similar height as the branches and leaves scrape against each other. The resulting damage creates gaps between the two trees. Research conducted in 1984 into black mangroves in Costa Rica seemed to support this theory. It found that the branches interlocked during calm conditions, but broken twigs caused gaps during wind gusts. What’s strange is that it is not seen more often in trees in windy locations. Also, crown shyness is seen in the Malay camphor tree (Dryobalanops aromatica), but there is no sign of direct abrasion. 

This has led to the suggestion that it can also be caused by light availability. Perhaps the growing tips stop growing when the leaves of another tree block the light.

Does Crown Shyness Help Trees?

Trees compete for nutrients, water, light, and space in forested areas. The gaps created by crown shyness may allow light to pass to other parts of the tree, allowing them to photosynthesize more effectively. It may also let light through to the forest flow, which benefits other species of plants and animals who, in turn, can help the tree. Also, by keeping their branches apart, trees may be able to prevent the spread of harmful insects and even diseases.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Chanawin Tepprasitsakda/Shutterstock.com