Clones of the tallest living things in America are going abroad: California’s redwood trees will head overseas in an attempt to help climate change and reforestation, just in time for Earth Day.
Of course, the scientific replicas are only 18 inches tall at the moment. The trees were produced in a laboratory and genetically identical to several humungous trees torn down over 100 years ago in Northern California.
A non-profit group called Archangel Ancient Tree Archive is in charge of the project.
“This is the first step towards mass production,” co-founder of the non-profit David Milarch said.
Today, Earth Day, redwoods will be planted in Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain, Ireland, Canada, Germany and more places here in the U.S.
"We need to reforest the planet; it's imperative,” Milarch said. “To do that, it just makes sense to use the largest, oldest, most iconic trees that ever lived.”
One method of producing these genetic copies that Archangel provides is sticking branch tips less than an inch long in baby food jars that contain the necessary nutrients and hormones. The trees are held in a lab until they are large enough to be planted and survive on their own.
The company’s focus on redwoods also branches out to the tallest sequoias, as these two species are known to absorb hefty amounts of carbon dioxide.
Carbon dioxide catches a lot of the blame for climate change, as it is a greenhouse gas.
Milarch also works with his two sons, Jared and Jake, who own a nursery in Copemish, Michigan.
"If we get enough of these trees out there, we'll make a difference," Jared Milarch said.
But, according to Jared, it can be tricky to find the right person to take the clones in and help them grow.
"A lot of trees will be planted by a lot of groups on Arbor Day, but 90 percent of them will die," David Milarch said. "You can't plant trees and walk away and expect them to take care of themselves."
At this point in time, Archangel has several thousand clones in the process of growing from over 70 redwoods and sequoias.
Arbor Day in the U.S. is Friday, April 26.
