Oldest tree had fronds like palms

Reuters reported 18 Apr 07 that the branches of Earth's oldest tree probably waved in the breeze like a modern palm, based on two intact 385 million year old tree fossils that help explain the evolution of forests and their influence on climate.

Scientists believe these early forests absorbed carbon dioxide, cooling the Earth's surface. The forests were flourishing at an important juncture in the history of life of Earth, coming shortly before the appearance of the first vertebrates -- four-legged amphibians -- that could live on dry land.

The stumps in Gilboa were unearthed in 1870 when workers were blasting a quarry. Until now, scientists had never seen the tops of those trees. An intact crown and part of a tree trunk was discovered in 2004 followed by a 28-foot trunk portion of the same species a year later. Pieced together, they represent Wattieza, a tree that looked like modern-day palm with a crown of fronds that grew up to 30 feet high and reproduced through spores.