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California's Redwood Tree Clones to Be Shipped Abroad

By Cheri Cheng | Update Date: Apr 22, 2013 01:25 PM EDT

In the latest attempt to fight climate changes, which disrupt agriculture and ecosystems throughout the world, a non-profit organization is planning on shipping 18-inch tall redwood trees to six different countries. The ancient red wood trees, native to California, which were cloned within a laboratory setting, will be replanted in areas suffering from deforestation and climate changes due to global warming. This new initiative will hopefully help repair some of these damages. The organization has chosen today, Earth Day, to plant these trees in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Great Britain, Germany, and Canada. The clones will also be replanted in the United States as well.

The genetic duplicates of the red wood trees were made from three real giant versions of the tree that were unfortunately cut down over a century ago in Northern California. One of the three ancient trees, called the Fieldbrook Stump is believed to be about 4,000 years old and to have stood over 40 stories high. Although the tree clones are not nearly as tall, the fact that they were reproduced successfully is a good sign for the future of these trees and for the world.

"This is a first step toward mass production," David Milarch, the co-founder of the non-profit, Archangel Ancient Tree Archive, stated. Milarch's son, Jared who is the group's executive director added, "If we get enough of these tress out there, we'll make a difference."

The Archangel Ancient Tree Archive has over 70 redwoods and giant sequoias clones that are aging at different stages. These clone species are believed to be able to hold more carbon than other kinds of trees, which will hopefully help with global warming. The non-profit group states that its biggest challenge is not reproducing these amazing trees, but rather, finding places to plant them where they will be taken care of, which is why people who receive a clone tree must pledge their duty to nurture the tree. The Archangel group also does not charge for their trees and is funded through donations. 

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