The root systems of the world’s oldest trees are the silent guardians of our landscapes. Deeply embedded within the earth, they hold the soil together, preventing erosion and locking carbon into the ground for centuries.
Foundation and Legacy
Root systems are a masterclass in structural integrity. While the canopy of a tree may face storms and changing seasons, the roots provide the unwavering foundation required for growth. In some species, the root mass can be twice as large as the visible tree itself, representing a massive investment in long-term stability.
By studying how roots navigate obstacles—growing around stones and weaving through varying soil densities—engineers can develop smarter, more flexible infrastructure that mimics this "searching" behavior to create buildings and roads that better withstand seismic shifts.
The Carbon Sink
Beyond physical stability, roots play a pivotal role in the global carbon cycle. As trees grow, they pump carbon-rich sugars into the soil through their roots, effectively sequestering carbon underground. This process makes old-growth forests one of our most valuable technological assets in the fight against climate change.