Nature

Suet is a type of beef fat, taken from around the kidneys of beef cattle. The Baltimore Bird Club notes that suet is one of the most popular kinds of bird food, especially for certain kinds of...

"Parabolic volume," a term particular to the field of forestry, refers to an approximation method for assessing tree size and biomass. A tree is roughly the shape of an upside-down parabola, the...

The birch are a group of trees native to North America known for their distinctive white bark. There are many species that grow in the forest and also are planted as ornamental trees. Birch trees...

The mimosa tree, Albizia julibrissin, is a tree native to southern Asia that is now found in much of the U.S., both as a beautiful ornamental plant and as an undesired invasive species. Some parts...

When the snow starts falling and you're stuck at home, here is a fun winter activity-build your own igloo. An igloo is a structure made of snow or ice. The igloo was used as a temporary shelter by...

Long used by the native people of South America in their hunt for food, curare is actually a generic term for a variety of plant toxins that are combined to create a lethal paralytic poison.

Every ecosystem is based on relationships. Plants and animals that share resources must rely one one another for a number of things, the most important of which is food.

Although trees are broadly grouped into hardwoods and softwoods, it is noteworthy that these categories do not necessarily equate with actual wood hardness. Hardness and density can also vary...

The sweet, sticky dates so often found in dried fruit trays during the holiday season are the result of successful pollination of the date palm. Being a dioecious species (meaning that it has a...

Caribous are hoofed animals that live in the cold northern forests and tundra of Russia, Scandinavia and North America. The caribou is the only member of the deer family in which both the males...

Located between San Francisco and Los Angeles, plus Yosemite and Sequoia national parks, are among the country's many beloved wilderness preserves that are home to some of the largest, most...

Burl has two meanings. A burl can be an abnormal growth that occurs on trees, or, more commonly, it can refer to wood that has been harvested from trees with this abnormal growth. Burl wood can be...

Grass reproduces by using grass seed. These are very small pieces of plant material that start new grass under the proper conditions. Most people think of their front lawn when referring to grass,...

Most people have a general understanding of what a tree is, but there are some plants that are very similar to a tree. Scientists need a clear definition of what a tree is so they can categorize...

Because they stay green and fresh throughout the year, evergreens have long been a symbol of hope, and of eternal life. There are several reasons why these distinctive trees are able to stay green...

Red cedar trees are known for their reddish-brown bark and fragrant wood, according to Yale University. They are coniferous trees that can grow up to 60 feet tall and thrive under a condition...

Sparrows and bluebirds may fight over nesting locations. An adequate distance between a sparrow house and a bluebird house should be maintained to reduce quarrels.

As spring approaches, the longer hours of sunlight warm up the soil. This, as well as the presence of adequate water to soften the seeds will trigger the germination process and create the next...

Vascular plants are the newest members of the plant kingdom, having evolved from the earliest green plants over millions of years. Vascular plants are green plants, but not all green plants are...

Natural grass seed is not only safe to feed wild birds, it comprises the main food source for some species. Homeowners planting new lawns often find it difficult to stop birds from eating their...

A wind vane is a device for measuring wind direction, while an anemometer measures wind speed. Therefore, a wind vane anemometer is a combination of both devices that measures both wind speed and...

Hummingbirds are natures acrobats of the garden. They twist, turn and stand on the head just to get at a flowers nectar they love so much. Hummingbirds arrive in late spring in some areas and food...

Commercial deer feeders are available, but making your own gives you more options, and can be less expensive. How large a feeder you make depends on the size deer population you wish to feed. Just...

All pearls are formed when a mollusk secretes nacre in response to the presence of an irritant or parasite. Some types of mollusks produce pink pearls, which are prized for their soft, feminine...

While severe flooding can occur just about anywhere given the right circumstances, the most frequent and predictable inundations tend to occur on floodplains. In physical geography, a floodplain...

Letterboxing is one of the oldest, world-wide, large-scale, multi-player cooperative games in recent times. This article will teach you the basics about how to play fair, so everyone can enjoy...

Plants come in an amazing range of colors, sizes and forms, and there are some suited to every ecosystem. However different plants may be, they all share some common identifying characteristics.

Seeds provide visual and other clues about their tree type. Matching seeds--or pictures of seeds--to pictures of seeds in a field guide or other reference can help narrow your search. You may also...

Teepees were a common sight on the American plains, back in the days when the buffalo roamed. Compact, efficient and portable, teepees were a perfect home for nomadic people. Today, they are a...

Fungus can causes two types of diseases in squash plants: leaf blight and powdery mildew. These diseases show different symptoms and both can be treated chemically.

Many hunters utilize slate turkey calls in an attempt to attract a turkey within shooting range. If the slate surface of the call becomes slick from the oils in your skin or some other...

Saccharomyces is a genus of unicellular fungi, or yeasts, used in food production. The name "Saccharomyces" means "sugar fungus." These organisms live by fermenting sugar, and release carbon...

Ponds are freshwater bodies of water smaller and shallower than lakes. Like many aquatic environments, they are rich in life--and varied forms of adaptation.

Culturing a plant tissue is the process of growing plant cells on artificial media from a mother plant. Plant tissue cultures allow scientists to grow genetically modified plants. It also allows...