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When trees grew in Antarctica

Fossils of Antarctic trees reveal surprising growth pattern

By Sid Perkins

- More than 2 years ago

HOUSTON — Trees that grew in Antarctica millions of years ago had a growth pattern much different than modern trees, according to a new fossil study reported during the Geological Society of America meeting.

Trees that grew in Antarctica millions of years ago, when its climate was more mild, had a growth pattern much different from modern trees.
OLD GROWTH, NEW GROWTH The fossils of ancient trees that grew in Antarctica (top image) show that only 5 to 12 percent the rings of the prehistoric trees were made of small, thick-walled cells, compared with 40 percent in the rings of modern trees that grow in temperate latitudes.