Rare, Well-Preserved Tree Fossils from Experimental Period Discovered in Canadian Quarry
In a groundbreaking discovery, archaeologists Olivia King and Matthew Stimson have unearthed rare and well-preserved tree fossils in a Canadian quarry. These peculiar trees, found in New Brunswick in 2017, belong to an experimental period that marked the early stages of Earth’s forests. The fossils, some of which are remarkably intact, provide valuable insights into the evolution of plant life on our planet.
Immaculately preserved by an earthquake that buried lake-margin vegetation in the area, these fossils offer a glimpse into a time long before the existence of dinosaurs. One of the five fossilized trees discovered is completely intact, making it one of the few whole plant fossils ever recorded. The researchers’ findings were recently published in Current Biology, shedding light on the unique characteristics of these ancient trees.
Upon decoding the tree structures, the researchers describe them as resembling enormous ferns. These peculiar trees feature thin trunks that rise slightly higher than a human, topped with a magnificent toilet-brush-like arrangement of leaves that span an impressive five meters. The authors of the study explain, “The tree architecture consists of an unbranched, 16cm-diameter trunk with compound leaves arranged in spirals of ∼13 and compressed into ∼14cm of vertical trunk length.”
The striking resemblance of these trees to the truffula trees from Dr. Seuss’s famous children’s book, The Lorax, caught the attention of lead archaeologist Olivia King. “What it really does look like is one of those truffula trees from The Lorax,” she remarked during an interview with CBC. This comparison adds a touch of whimsy to the scientific discovery, highlighting the intriguing nature of these ancient specimens.
Dating back approximately 350 million years, these trees thrived during a period known as Romer’s Gap. This era, spanning from 360 to 345 million years ago, is characterized by a scarcity of fossil records for both animals and plants. The discovery of the Sanfordiacaulis densifolia trees sheds light on the experimental forms that the plant kingdom underwent during this time. Lead author Robert Galstado likens these trees to an evolutionary experiment that ultimately did not survive the test of time. “The evolution of the plant kingdom underwent many different experimental forms that were successful for some million or more years of time, but didn’t survive the test of time,” Galstado explained to LiveScience.
These ancient trees likely grew beneath the canopy, utilizing their broad mop of leaves to maximize the limited sunlight available. They represent the earliest examples of trees thriving in such conditions, providing valuable insights into the adaptation and survival strategies of early plant life.
The discovery of these rare and well-preserved tree fossils in a Canadian quarry opens up new avenues for research and understanding of Earth’s early forests. The unique characteristics and experimental nature of these trees offer a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of plant life during a period where the fossil record is relatively sparse. As scientists continue to unravel the mysteries of our planet’s past, these remarkable fossils serve as a reminder of the diversity and resilience of life throughout Earth’s history.