# How does one determine the intelligence of trees?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-determine-the-intelligence-of-trees/694268
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [July 28, 2014, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-determine-the-intelligence-of-trees/694268 "2014-07-28T18:54:09Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Timetrvlr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timetrvlr)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2014, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-determine-the-intelligence-of-trees/694268/1 "2014-07-28T18:54:09Z")
I don’t think they have nerve cells as we do nor a brain as we do. Is all their future behavior pre-programmed in their DNA?
I’ve been talking to my little dwarf cherry tree trying to inspire it to grow taller. No results yet but perhaps encouragement will work?😛
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### Author:  [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2014, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-determine-the-intelligence-of-trees/694268/2 "2014-07-28T18:57:42Z")
In what sense could the concept of intelligence even be meaningful, as applied to a tree?
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### Author:  [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2014, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-determine-the-intelligence-of-trees/694268/3 "2014-07-28T19:11:36Z")
> [@Timetrvlr](#):
>
> Is all their future behavior pre-programmed in their DNA?
Can their DNA determine how much rain and/or sunshine they’re going to get?
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### Author:  [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2014, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-determine-the-intelligence-of-trees/694268/4 "2014-07-28T19:13:57Z")
I think a shot of [Gibberellin](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gibberellin) would be a better idea…
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### Author:  [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2014, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-determine-the-intelligence-of-trees/694268/5 "2014-07-28T19:14:28Z")
I think you need to define what you mean by “intelligence.”
> [@Timetrvlr](#):
>
> Is all their future behavior pre-programmed in their DNA?
This one can be answered, however, taking “behavior” in a broad sense. Plants respond to stimuli such as light, gravity, water, nutrients, and damage to their tissues. These responses are the result of the production of [plant hormones](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plant_hormone), growth factors, and other chemical signals.
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### Author:  [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2014, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-determine-the-intelligence-of-trees/694268/6 "2014-07-28T19:16:44Z")
> [@Smeghead](#):
>
> Can their DNA determine how much rain and/or sunshine they’re going to get?
A survey found that 85% of arborologists believe that oak trees are naturally more intelligent than maple trees, entirely due to their DNA.
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### Author:  [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2014, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-determine-the-intelligence-of-trees/694268/7 "2014-07-28T19:18:17Z")
Maybe what the OP is trying to get at is better expressed in terms of the amount of information in the DNA rather than the level of intelligence, although I suppose it depends on how you define intelligence.
You could say that trees have “behavior” in the sense of how they respond to changes in their environment.
Edited to add: Ninjaed by **Colibri**
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### Author:  [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2014, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-determine-the-intelligence-of-trees/694268/8 "2014-07-28T19:23:46Z")
Trees are smart, but they’re assholes. If you want it to grow, you have to make it think you want it to stay small. Even better, make it think you’re _desperate_ for it to stay small.
Try this: when you water it, whisper things like “You’re so cute and small, please don’t ever change, never grow up, my lovely little tree”. But then, when you’re talking to your spouse/dog/invisible friend on the other side of the room, say something like this softly (but not too softly): “Thank god that tree is small… if the revolution comes, I can still take it hand-to-hand. But if it ever gets big, I’m worried about what will happen to this household!”.
That way the tree will think you’re afraid, and trees respond to nothing more than fear… and it will grow.
Just don’t turn your back.
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### Author:  [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2014, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-determine-the-intelligence-of-trees/694268/9 "2014-07-28T19:27:52Z")
> [@Ludovic](#):
>
> A survey found that 85% of arborologists believe that oak trees are naturally more intelligent than maple trees, entirely due to their DNA.
Birches, moreover, are (with rare “savant-like” exceptions) the sylvan equivalent of drooling imbeciles.
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### Author:  [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2014, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-determine-the-intelligence-of-trees/694268/10 "2014-07-28T19:31:31Z")
> [@njtt](#):
>
> Birches, moreover, are (with rare “savant-like” exceptions) the sylvan equivalent of drooling imbeciles.
Birch? Please.
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### Author:  [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2014, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-determine-the-intelligence-of-trees/694268/11 "2014-07-28T19:43:34Z")
only intelligent beings can communicate
> **[Plant communication](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plant_communication#Plants_and_fungi)**
>
> Plants can be exposed to many stress factors such as disease, temperature changes, herbivory, injury and more. Therefore, in order to respond or be ready for any kind of physiological state, they need to develop some sort of system for their survival in the moment and/or for the future. Plant communication encompasses communication using volatile organic compounds, electrical signaling, and common mycorrhizal networks between plants and a host of other organisms such as soil microbes, other pl In...
only intelligent beings can kill for their own benefit
> **[Strangler fig](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strangler_fig)**
>
> Strangler fig is the common name for a number of tropical and subtropical plant species in the genus Ficus, including those that are commonly known as banyans. Some of the more well-known species are:
> These all share a common "strangling" growth habit that is found in many tropical forest species, particularly of the genus Ficus. This growth habit is an adaptation for growing in dark forests where the competition for light is intense. Strangler figs suck up the nutrients from its victims, causin...
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### Author:  [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2014, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-determine-the-intelligence-of-trees/694268/12 "2014-07-28T19:43:36Z")
> [@Ludovic](#):
>
> A survey found that 85% of arborologists believe that oak trees are naturally more intelligent than maple trees, entirely due to their DNA.
I find just the opposite as the [maple tree](http://maple.dnr.cornell.edu/pubs/trees.htm)is smart enough to form a symbiotic relationship with humans by producing a sweet substance that mankind desires and thus nurtures the tree to keep it healthy.
[Oak is good for furniture.](http://www.antiquefurniture.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/bureau.jpg)
[I like oak myself. That’s what I have in my bedroom.How about you, Jimmie?
You an oak man?
Jimmie: Oak’s nice.](http://www.morethings.com/fan/quentin_tarantino/pulp_fiction/pulp_fiction4720.jpg)
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### Author:  [@RaftPeople](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaftPeople)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2014, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-determine-the-intelligence-of-trees/694268/13 "2014-07-28T19:57:26Z")
> [@Colibri](#):
>
> I think you need to define what you mean by “intelligence.”
>
> This one can be answered, however, taking “behavior” in a broad sense. Plants respond to stimuli such as light, gravity, water, nutrients, and damage to their tissues. These responses are the result of the production of [plant hormones](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plant_hormone), growth factors, and other chemical signals.
and they respond to the recorded sound of caterpillars feeding, increasing defenses
[http://munews.missouri.edu/news-releases/2014/0701-plants-respond-to-leaf-vibrations-caused-by-insects’-chewing-mu-study-finds/](http://munews.missouri.edu/news-releases/2014/0701-plants-respond-to-leaf-vibrations-caused-by-insects%E2%80%99-chewing-mu-study-finds/)
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### Author:  [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2014, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-determine-the-intelligence-of-trees/694268/14 "2014-07-28T20:33:46Z")
There is unrest in the forest
There is trouble with the trees
For the maples want more sunlight
And the oaks ignore their pleas
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### Author:  [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2014, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-determine-the-intelligence-of-trees/694268/15 "2014-07-28T20:47:12Z")
No tree (or cultivated plant) responds well to begging on the part of humans.
What may be useful is conveying an intent to cut down or dig up the poor performer if it doesn’t shape up. Or if it’s obviously dead, plant something else in that spot and watch it spring back to life.
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### Author:  [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2014, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-determine-the-intelligence-of-trees/694268/16 "2014-07-28T20:50:43Z")
> [@Ludovic](#):
>
> A survey found that 85% of arborologists believe that oak trees are naturally more intelligent than maple trees, entirely due to their DNA.
It was also once thought that maple trees were genetically predisposed to be poor basketball players.
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### Author:  [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2014, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-determine-the-intelligence-of-trees/694268/17 "2014-07-28T20:52:33Z")
You need an Ent. An Ent would know.
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### Author:  [@Encinitas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Encinitas)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2014, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-determine-the-intelligence-of-trees/694268/18 "2014-07-28T20:54:42Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#):
>
> Birch? Please.
The Larch.
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### Author:  [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2014, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-determine-the-intelligence-of-trees/694268/19 "2014-07-28T21:20:26Z")
Wise words from a wise person:
> [@Jack Handey](#):
>
> If trees could scream, would we be so cavalier about cutting them down? We might, if they screamed all the time, for no good reason.
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### Author:  [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2014, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-determine-the-intelligence-of-trees/694268/20 "2014-07-28T21:34:05Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#):
>
> No tree (or cultivated plant) responds well to begging on the part of humans.
>
> What may be useful is conveying an intent to cut down or dig up the poor performer if it doesn’t shape up. Or if it’s obviously dead, plant something else in that spot and watch it spring back to life.
This [video](http://www.chonday.com/Videos/excamuoich2) may help.
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