How close are you to the equator? A certain species of pine tree might give you a clue—if you know what to look for.
A team of scientists in California measured the angle at which Cook pine trees grow across five continents, including North America. They discovered that the trees always lean toward the equator. The farther they are from the equator, the more they lean.
Sunlight, gravity, and wind affect how a plant grows. Jason Johns is a scientist who worked on the study. He thinks Cook pines might grow toward the most sunlight, which is found in the area closest to the equator.
“We’re still learning about factors that affect plant growth,” he says.