Some Unusual Trees • Hacker News Board

Re: Some Unusual Trees

#91

Post by CRConrad » Sun, Apr 05, 2026, 3:12 PM UTC

madaxe_again wrote: post #8

hermitcrab wrote: post #2

The UK has quite a few ancient yew trees. Some may be over 2000 years old. Often they are in church grounds (because ones that weren't got cut down to make long bows perhaps?). https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2025/08/ancient-yew-tr...

One of the many nice things about nature is that almost everything is interesting and unique in some particular way, be it longevity, size, or far more specific traits, across all species, all domains of natural science.

Funny thing is, that goes for the social sciences too, IMO.

All a matter of having an open and curious mind, I suppose.

Re: Some Unusual Trees

#92

Post by CRConrad » Sun, Apr 05, 2026, 3:36 PM UTC

speed_spread wrote: post #16

Mistletoe wrote: post #13

I like to imagine aliens visiting earth and walking straight past us and communing with Pando. > Recent 2024 analysis confirmed it is at least 16,000 years old, with possibilities ranging up to 80,000 years, making it one of the oldest living organisms.

That would make as much sense as trying to speak with Whales.

Or even worse, speak with Wales.

Re: Some Unusual Trees

#93

Post by Paul_Clayton » Mon, Apr 06, 2026, 12:10 PM UTC

helterskelter wrote: post #43

helterskelter wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's funny, a neighbor had me cut their eucalyptus down, then it grew back from the stump and I had to cut it again a couple years later. Then I has to cut it again a few years after that. Now it looks like I'm going to have to cut it again soon. It's become a running joke at this point. Those things are tough, and they grow really fast in the right climate.

> Then I has to cut had* @dang, I wish we had more time to edit our posts.

That clause reminded me of Popeye's "I can't stands no more" and I took it as an expression of considerable annoyance along with a sense of humor.

Re: Some Unusual Trees

#94

Post by Paul_Clayton » Mon, Apr 06, 2026, 12:42 PM UTC

CRConrad wrote: post #91

madaxe_again wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

One of the many nice things about nature is that almost everything is interesting and unique in some particular way, be it longevity, size, or far more specific traits, across all species, all domains of natural science.

Funny thing is, that goes for the social sciences too, IMO. All a matter of having an open and curious mind, I suppose.

The PhD Movie introed with Richard Feinman's statement "I don't know anything, but I do know everything is interesting, if you go into it deeply enough."

Feinman was a curious character.

I suspect that with even a modest breadth of knowlegde a deep investigation of anything brings associations with existing knowledge (interest), unexpected connections and exceptions.