News Chemistry Heat spurs growth of tiny carbon trees By Corinna Wu September 20, 2002 at 7:12 pm - More than 2 years ago Share this:Share Share via email (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Share on X (Opens in new window) X Print (Opens in new window) Print With a simple heating and cooling process, scientists can grow a forest of microscopic carbon trees on a surface, according to a new study. Like a forest of fuzzy cotton swabs, microscopic carbon trees of different heights spring from a graphite surface. Ajayan In the past, scientists have used catalysts to stimulate the growth of nanotubes and other carbon structures on surfaces (SN: 8/21/99, p.