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The next time you're out walking through the forest, take a moment to look above you at the beautiful trees, and you might be pleasantly surprised by what you find.
Check out these nature photography shots to see what we mean. The naturally occurring phenomenon is called "crown shyness" because the uppermost branches of certain tree species don't like to touch one another. The intriguing behavior was first observed in the 1920s, and various hypotheses have been presented since then in an attempt to explain it. Some believe it occurs to reduce the spread of harmful insects. Others believe that trees are attempting to protect one another's branches from getting cracked and broken in the wind, and it's also been suggested that "crown shyness" happens so that trees can optimize light exposure to maximize the process of photosynthesis which is done by the tree leaves. Despite these various theories, however, nobody knows for sure why this phenomenon occurs, but it serves to remind us of just how beautiful nature can be. Scroll down for some of our favorite pictures, and don't forget to vote for the best. (h/t: colossal)
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#1
Susann Campbell 8 years ago
I looked at them all and what I see is courtesy . All trees need light and each one is being courteous to each other.
Tony Johns 8 years ago
It is scientific/engineering. The leaf flourish at the crown becomes inhibited by the prospect of poor photosynthesis in the shadow of higher foliage. But why the gap you wonder? The romanticists have long presumed the trees sensing other growth proximity and not growing nearer for fear of touching and chain transmitting fungal airborne infections diseases (FAIDS). However, those of us who have lived in trees know the effects of the winds and air movement. In a blow the tree next door comes your way a tad and particularly in temperate and tropical climates intrudes on your space. So the trees, a bit like me in the company of some Brexit'eers and racists in my local pub, back off a bit! Simple as that! Beautiful images none the less! tonyjohns@enterprise.net
Linda Woodbury 8 years ago
Maybe they just respect each others' space (?). They are very sensitive.
Kelly Davis 8 years ago
I don't know why these photos are giving me the heebie jeebies. Like pics of things with holes...
Ironcat_xox 8 years ago
I'd never notice this if someone didn't point it out first... but it seems so obvious!
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#7
Ok Ha-Neul 8 years ago
me in public places : don't touch me don't touch me please don't touch me eunghhhh
#10
Marzo Florida 8 years ago
When I first looked at it, my eyes thought that the camera was in the tree looking down at cracks in a path :)
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Linda Brown 8 years ago
There is one of the trees that looks like a dog looking over his left shoulder.
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Ophelia Papworth-Rivera 4 years ago
Thought it was incredibly terrible of the author to not give credit to each picture of where each one was located?!
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What do you think ?
Yvonne Bernal 8 years ago
INTERESTING FACT - What causes it is not fully understood. One theory suggests that this empty space around the crown might be caused by breakage of twigs and branches from violent collision that happens during storms and high winds. Experiments show that if trees with crown shyness are artificially prevented from swaying and colliding in the wind, they gradually fill in the empty space in the canopy.
Just a Purpler 8 years ago
Very interesting! Thanks Yvonne! It'll be my new party starter XD
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John L 8 years ago
They all seem to have a couple of things in common. They are generally new growth in that they started out pretty much the same time. And also they are of the same species of tree. Its probably their way of getting a 'leg up' on other competing species, by ensuring their own integrity, and also keeping other trees from grabbing their sunlight. Natural selection playing its part. ;D
Daria B 8 years ago
Me too! But then you always have an old-ish lady touching my a*s while passing by.... *sigh*
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David Freeman 8 years ago
These were all taken at a forest in Malaysia. It is true, but only among trees that get tall enough to sway in the wind. And if a tree is removed, growth continues. Noticed in the 1920's
Elisabeth Nickles 8 years ago
I have spent a lot of time in forests, daily i look at trees and have been in a lot of different kinds of forests, and have never seen this. The photos look photoshopped
Marilyn Guinnane 8 years ago
Since all things have a consciousness, perhaps the trees are simply being polite in respecting one another's space. That isn't so far-fetched. I have a green thumb. Plants talk to me.
Alusair Alustriel 8 years ago
Wow! I didn't know about that nature phenomenon. Looks really amazing. Nature is full of surprises!
Imagine That 8 years ago
Trees that display crown shyness patterns include: Species of Dryobalanops, including Dryobalanops lanceolata[23] and Dryobalanops aromatica (kapur) Some species of eucalypt[24] Pinus contorta or lodgepole pine[1] Avicennia germinans or black mangrove[3] Didymopanax pittieri[6][12] Clusia alata[6][12] K. Paijmans observed crown shyness in a multi-species group of trees, comprising Celtis spinosa and Pterocymbium beccarii[7]
Bobby Jones 8 years ago
Who knew trees had there own personal space. It reminds me of being kids in the back seat of the car and my brother & sister getting THIS close to me. Close enough not to be touching, but close enough to be annoying and close enough that technically they could tell dad that I'm not touching you.
therealpixie 8 years ago
I've spent a lot of time in forests; never seen this phenomenon. Are you sure this isn't a photoshop prank?
Echo 8 years ago
Interesting a quick search shows just these pictures posted above for the most part. But there is a Wikipedia page.
Load More Replies...
Hayley Lightcap 8 years ago
That's so cool I've never seen that before! Does it occur only with trees that are the same species?
Philip Kelleher 8 years ago
EVERY tree has an elemental being which nurtures its growth...and just because scientific materialism is as yet, too blind and blinkered to see beyond the 5 senses, it does not change the fact that there is something far more complex and intelligent going on here. * Also, if you see two or three trees of the same type in a stand, you will observe that they will form ONE canopy...with none of their branches overlapping or touching - as if the canopy was just from one tree. This phenomenon is particularly noticeable if the trees are on a hilltop, where the canopy can be observed from multiple directions.
Jilltdcatlady 8 years ago
I have a hard time believing most of the theories of why/how the trees are doing this. If they are trying to not spread insects then they have become self-aware, knowing they are infested, knowing others are nearby, and knowing How to avoid transfer. It also requires self-awareness and proximal awareness to not snap your neighbors limbs and share resources. Does this mean the trees have developed a neural network? (Think predatory plants like Venus fly traps). We know plants react to pain and sympathize with other plants that are being tested, as well as musical preferences for better growth. Is there anyone who could provide some ideas?
Here to Troll 8 years ago
So, you know literally nothing about how forest ecosystems work, eh?
Load More Replies...
Yvonne Bernal 8 years ago
INTERESTING FACT - What causes it is not fully understood. One theory suggests that this empty space around the crown might be caused by breakage of twigs and branches from violent collision that happens during storms and high winds. Experiments show that if trees with crown shyness are artificially prevented from swaying and colliding in the wind, they gradually fill in the empty space in the canopy.
Just a Purpler 8 years ago
Very interesting! Thanks Yvonne! It'll be my new party starter XD
Load More Replies... John L 8 years ago
They all seem to have a couple of things in common. They are generally new growth in that they started out pretty much the same time. And also they are of the same species of tree. Its probably their way of getting a 'leg up' on other competing species, by ensuring their own integrity, and also keeping other trees from grabbing their sunlight. Natural selection playing its part. ;D
Daria B 8 years ago
Me too! But then you always have an old-ish lady touching my a*s while passing by.... *sigh*
Load More Replies... David Freeman 8 years ago
These were all taken at a forest in Malaysia. It is true, but only among trees that get tall enough to sway in the wind. And if a tree is removed, growth continues. Noticed in the 1920's
Elisabeth Nickles 8 years ago
I have spent a lot of time in forests, daily i look at trees and have been in a lot of different kinds of forests, and have never seen this. The photos look photoshopped
Marilyn Guinnane 8 years ago
Since all things have a consciousness, perhaps the trees are simply being polite in respecting one another's space. That isn't so far-fetched. I have a green thumb. Plants talk to me.
Alusair Alustriel 8 years ago
Wow! I didn't know about that nature phenomenon. Looks really amazing. Nature is full of surprises!
Imagine That 8 years ago
Trees that display crown shyness patterns include: Species of Dryobalanops, including Dryobalanops lanceolata[23] and Dryobalanops aromatica (kapur) Some species of eucalypt[24] Pinus contorta or lodgepole pine[1] Avicennia germinans or black mangrove[3] Didymopanax pittieri[6][12] Clusia alata[6][12] K. Paijmans observed crown shyness in a multi-species group of trees, comprising Celtis spinosa and Pterocymbium beccarii[7]
Bobby Jones 8 years ago
Who knew trees had there own personal space. It reminds me of being kids in the back seat of the car and my brother & sister getting THIS close to me. Close enough not to be touching, but close enough to be annoying and close enough that technically they could tell dad that I'm not touching you.
therealpixie 8 years ago
I've spent a lot of time in forests; never seen this phenomenon. Are you sure this isn't a photoshop prank?
Echo 8 years ago
Interesting a quick search shows just these pictures posted above for the most part. But there is a Wikipedia page.
Load More Replies... Hayley Lightcap 8 years ago
That's so cool I've never seen that before! Does it occur only with trees that are the same species?
Philip Kelleher 8 years ago
EVERY tree has an elemental being which nurtures its growth...and just because scientific materialism is as yet, too blind and blinkered to see beyond the 5 senses, it does not change the fact that there is something far more complex and intelligent going on here. * Also, if you see two or three trees of the same type in a stand, you will observe that they will form ONE canopy...with none of their branches overlapping or touching - as if the canopy was just from one tree. This phenomenon is particularly noticeable if the trees are on a hilltop, where the canopy can be observed from multiple directions.
Jilltdcatlady 8 years ago
I have a hard time believing most of the theories of why/how the trees are doing this. If they are trying to not spread insects then they have become self-aware, knowing they are infested, knowing others are nearby, and knowing How to avoid transfer. It also requires self-awareness and proximal awareness to not snap your neighbors limbs and share resources. Does this mean the trees have developed a neural network? (Think predatory plants like Venus fly traps). We know plants react to pain and sympathize with other plants that are being tested, as well as musical preferences for better growth. Is there anyone who could provide some ideas?
Here to Troll 8 years ago
So, you know literally nothing about how forest ecosystems work, eh?
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