Free Republic

Scientific photographer Neil Bromhall of Right Plants 4 Me created this time-lapse showing the birth of an oak tree. It reveals how an acorn turns into an oak seedling over the course of 8 months from September through April.

"U.N. Credibility: The Ultimate Oxymoron" Posted by Doc Farmer Wednesday, April 30, 2003 I keep hearing pundits and talking heads and "experts" on the news, saying how the U.S. must involve the United Nations in post-conflict Iraq. Their reason? We need the U.N.'s credibility. Excuse me? WHAT credibility? The credibility that dragged the people of Iraq through 12 years of torture, rape, and murder, while U.N. members flapped their collective yap and did nothing? The credibility that had the chance to take down Saddam in 1991, but didn't because the Frogs said not to, thereby placing tens of thousands of...

Designing Trees The same, often controversial gene-tweaking techniques that brought uspest-resistant fruits and vegetables now have a new target: trees. By Naomi Lubick Image: Courtesy of S. MerkleUNTIL THE BLIGHT, majestic American Chestnut trees dominated many U.S. forests. This image was taken in 1910 in the Great Smokey Mountains of North Carolina. To gain an appreciation for the promise--and perils--of genetically modified trees, consider the case of the American chestnut. Few trees have had such a remarkable presence and impact on the American landscape and ecosystem as the chestnut. Mature trees grew to 100 feet tall and their trunks...