Trees

As you probably know, mangoes are a sweet fruit that comes from a tree and is used in many dishes and desserts. But do you know anything beyond that, like how or where mango trees grow? 

Mango trees typically live well past 100 years and can produce fruit until the late stages of their life cycle. Mango trees planted from seeds will take roughly 8 years to produce fruit, while mango trees planted from saplings will take up to 5 years to produce mangoes.

Before we dive any deeper into those intricate details about mango trees, let’s take a moment to get back to the basics, shall we? To talk about how a mango tree grows, we should first give a mention to the mangoes themselves, the reason why these trees are so loved. Let’s get into it!

What Is A Mango?

A mango is, of course, a sweet fruit that comes from a tree…but it is also so much more!

Native to South Asia, this fruit is one of the most highly cultivated tropical fruits.

The flesh of the mango (the part you eat) is typically yellow or orange, but the skin can be quite the range of colors! You can see red, yellow, orange, green, or perhaps a mixture of them all in the skin of a mango. It just depends on the stage in the ripening process and some other chemical processes that impact the outward appearance of the mango.

The type of fruit is called a ‘stone fruit’ which is exactly what it sounds like. 

Why Is A Mango A Stone Fruit?

Stone fruit is a type of fruit that contains, you guessed it, a stone (or a pit.)

Did you know, though, that the pit itself is not the seed of these sorts of fruit? 

The seed is found inside of the stone, which can be cut open to retrieve the seed. This is an important nuisance to be aware of if you are looking to grow a mango tree directly from a mango seed. 

Popular stone fruits are peaches, mangoes, apricots, cherries, nectarines, plums, and dates. 

What Type Of Tree Is A Mango Tree?

Mango trees are evergreen and their leaves last for many years at a time. 

As one of the most widely cultivated tropical fruits in the world, mangoes’ variability in color and size is not the only part of this plant that is adaptable. 

These trees can live for quite some time and can produce fruit quite late into their lifespan. 

Speaking of which, let’s finally dive into the lifespan of a mango tree.

What Is The Lifespan Of A Mango Tree?

Alright, alright- we are finally getting to the part that you are here for!

A mango tree lives for well over 100 years, producing fruit well into the late stages of its life.

Let’s dive into the different stages of a mango tree’s life, from planting to maturity to the end of it all. Here are some of the things you can expect as you work to grow and maintain a mango tree:

Early Mango Tree Lifespan And Planting

To plant a mango tree from the seed, you have to start with the pit and the rest will follow. 

Follow these easy steps to procure a mango seed and plant yourself a tree!

1. Cut open your mango to reach the pit (aka the stone.)
2. Clean the pit until you can see the husk without much extra mango on it.
3. Grab a pair of heavy-duty scissors and cut the pit open.
4. Squeeze the mango seed out of the husk of the pit.
5. If the seed has any extra coating around it, clean this off.
6. Wrap your seed into a wet paper towel and place it inside a bag until it sprouts. Check often to be sure that you don’t leave your seed for too long.
7. Plant the seed in potting soil. 
8. Watch your tree begin to grow!
9. You’ll need to re-pot the mango tree as it grows, eventually placing the tree directly in the ground.

You will want to start by covering the roots of your not-quite-mature mango tree, especially any newly planted trees or shrubs, with a few inches of shredded mulch. 3-4 inches of this layer should do the trick to create some insulation around the base of the tree. Creating a mulch donut of sorts, pulling the mulch to about 6 inches around the trunk on every side, will ensure that any stray roots will not be subject to the freezing temperatures.

If there are any cracks in the soil around your tree as you are completing this first step, you’ll want to make sure that they are filled in with new soil before you move on. 

If you wish to grow a mango tree without having to purchase the actual fruit itself, you can look into products like these prepared Dichondra Fresh Mango Seeds.

Growing Mango Trees To Maturity

If you are planting a mango tree from the seed, you should expect to wait 5-8 years before getting any fruit. 

However, planting seeds is not the only way to go. Planting saplings will help you lower your wait time as you patiently let the tree mature long enough to bear fruit. 

A mango tree sapling will bear fruit about 4 years after it is planted, significantly less than a mango tree planted from seed. 

This is no surprise, as saplings are often already a few years old by the time of purchase, but can be an important factor to remember if getting fruit sooner is your ultimate goal.

End Of Life For Mango Trees

Information from the University of Wisconsin- La Crosse tells us that the oldest living mango tree is 300 years old and still produces fruit! This tree can be found in East Khandesh, in India. 

So, that mango trees can live over 100 years feels almost like an understatement. These trees have quite a long lifespan and the ability to produce fruit until the end of the tree’s life says a lot about the vicarious nature of this tree. 

How Long Can A Mango Tree Produce Fruit?

After flowering, a mango tree takes three to five months for the fruit to ripen.

These trees can begin producing fruit as young as 5 years after being planted from the seed and can bear fruit until the very end of their lifespan as seen by the 300-year-old mango tree in India that continues to bear fruit. 

This means that mango trees produce fruit from early mature life until the very end. 

Theoretically, if every tree lived as long as the oldest tree, each plant could bear 295 years’ worth of fruit.

How To Grow A Mango Tree

As a reminder, you can plant a mango tree from the seed in a few simple steps.

1. Cut open your mango.
2. Clean the pit.
3. Cut the pit open.
4. Squeeze the mango seed out.
5. If the seed has any extra coating, clean it.
6. Wrap your seed into a wet paper towel and place it inside a bag until it sprouts. Check often.
7. Plant the seed in potting soil. 
8. Watch your tree begin to grow!
9. You’ll need to re-pot the mango tree as it grows.

These few steps are important factors to plant a tree, but there is more that goes into growing the tree itself. 

If you want to start your mango seedlings off on the right foot, try out some good seedling mixes such as this Sun Gro 8-Quart Mix!

The basis of a healthy tree starts at its origin, so making sure to take external factors into your planting plans can make a big difference. 

Then, as your tree grows you’ll be able to make informed decisions about how you maintain it to keep a healthy mango tree with great fruit. 

Best Time Of Year For Growing And Harvesting Mangos

Mango is harvested in the warmer months of late spring and summer, but when should you plant a mango tree for best results?

Late winter to early spring is the best time to plant a mango tree. 

This is because the plant does not actively grow during this point of the year and will be better able to get situated in the soil before active growth continues in the warmer months of the year.

Best Location For Growing Mangos

Where do mangoes grow best, exactly?

Mango trees are best suited for a tropical climate, really anywhere in the USDA hardiness zone 9 and above. 

This means, essentially, that you should be planting a mango tree in an area where the temperature does not dip below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Areas that do not tend to have a frost are the prime candidates for these trees, like warm regions of Hawaii,California, Florida, and other areas along the Gulf of Mexico. 

No matter where you plan to plant your mango tree, it is important to be aware of hardiness zones and their implications.

Fertilize Your Mangos To Maximize Their Lifespan

If you have been reading our pieces for a while now, you know that fertilizer is the name of the game. 

While this does not plant food, as it is often (and incorrectly) referred to, it does act as a way to help trees and other plants absorb more of those oh-so-important nutrients that they need.

You can fertilize your mango tree 3 times a year, during each season that is not winter, starting at a lower amount when the tree is young and increasing slightly to adjust to the larger size of the tree as it matures. 

Though mango, by definition, is not a citrus, the tree does require many of the same nutrients to grow at a healthy, stable rate. 

Balanced fertilizers, but a little high in nitrogen content, will be best for these types of trees. 

When looking for certain specific nutrients, you’ll want to keep an eye out for phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen (the big 3 of fertilizers), manganese, zinc, and iron. 

The big three will show up pretty clearly in the N/P/K ratio (standing for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) while the other types of nutrients may need to be sought after a little more. 

Speaking of the big three and ratios, if you see fertilizer with the numbers 5-5-5, 6-6-6, or 8-3-9-2 (the 2 is an add-on and refers to magnesium), you can safely bet that you’re purchasing the right type of fertilizer. 

If you are having troubles with your tree even after fertilizing, it could be a pest issue. Check out this article on 9 Different Animals And Insects That Live In Trees.

This Dr. Earth Natural Wonder Organic Fruit Tree Fertilizer is a great option, with an NPK of 5-5-2, it is a well-balanced fertilizer with extra emphasis on stimulating healthy root development. 

Ways To Use Mangos From Your Mango Tree

So, now that you know how to plant, grow, and sustain a mango tree, what can you do with the fruit? There are so many dishes to make with mango that you won’t even know where to start!

Mango Sticky Rice

This Thai classic is a favorite among locations, served as a slightly sweet dessert for those who prefer the flavors of this fruit more than a dish completely lost to the sugar content. 

If you’re looking to get kids to eat more fruit, this could be a fun start– add in some blueberries along with the sticky rice and condensed milk for a fun yet healthier dessert dish.

This warm and filling dish can be eaten at any time of year, warm or cold!

Mango Popsicles

On a similar note, if you’re looking to reap some benefits of mango without all the processing that you’ll find in store-bought popsicles, buy some mangoes and create your own!

Be sure to have a bit of lime juice, some honey for sweetness, and fresh water on hand to blend with your mango chunks. You’ll have a refreshing summer treat in the time it takes to freeze (though popsicles also pair well with a relaxing day at home, staying out of the winter cold- no judgment here!)

Mango Salsa

Looking for a fresh way to use all that produce you bought for the holiday gatherings? Whip up a quick and easy mango salsa using some peppers, onions, mangoes, tomatoes, lime juice, and whatever else you have sitting around the kitchen. 

Use as a dip with some chips or chop the veggies into larger chunks and eat it as a salad. You’ll love this dish and all of the crisp, fresh flavors that are mixed in.

Salmon With Mango Sauce

Bake some salmon and use mango salsa, or any sort of version you concoct, to top it off. You can balance the crispy edges of the fish with the softer, lighter pieces of mango to create a meal that feels as delightful to eat as it does healthy to prepare.

Shrimp Tacos With Mango Salsa

On the note of using a sauce or salsa, why stop at chips and salmon? Let’s talk tacos!

Make some shrimp tacos ( white fish tacos pair well, too) and add some purple cabbage, a spicy sauce, and mango salsa on top. This combination of textures and flavors combines to make the perfect lunch that feels balanced yet yummy.

Mango Lassi

The University of Southern California notes that a mango lassi recipe can provide 39% of the daily calcium recommendation in just a little drink. 

This creamy yogurt drink originates in India, home to the oldest mango tree currently producing fruit as well as one of the biggest consumers of mango in the world. 

Combine mango pulp, yogurt, and a dash of carbonated water with a few other ingredients to easily re-create this healthy yet tasty treat.

Mango Fruit Salad

Why go for a regular, boring fruit salad when you can add mango and elevate any version of a fruit salad immediately? 

Combine some apples, grapes, mango, raspberry, strawberries, and blueberries to make a semi-tropical fusion fruit salad that takes ‘regular’ and spins it on its head. 

The taste is great but the antioxidants and vitamins that these salad packs are more than enough reason to give this dish a try.

Mango Chutney

Another Indian dish, chutney is a gluten-free savory condiment that can be used with a whole spread of different foods. 

Mango chutney in particular is rich in vitamins A, B, and C, along with other antioxidants and heart-healthy factors.

This is also, like most other mango dishes, a great way to get some extra iron in your diet when needed. 

Mango Sorbet

Finally, one more sweet dessert dish that is easy to make, has a great taste and will leave you feeling like your final course didn’t go to waste. 

This light relative of ice cream is great after a heavier meal when you want something else, without feeling much fuller.

Wrapping Up!

Well, that’s all we’ve got for now.

If the bad pun didn’t scare you away, feel free to check out some more pieces on more trees here anytime!

Remember these important facts about mangoes as a fruit, the lifespan of the trees, how to grow them, and more!

If you ever forget, just pop back over to this piece for a refresher. We like to do all the deep-diving for information so that you don’t have to you’re welcome!

If you are ever are interested in mango trees and how their roots work, you can check out this article on the 6 Best Fruit Trees That Have Shallow Roots.

Also, keep some of these recipe ideas in mind- they might come in handy in a few years when your tree is producing plenty of mangoes and you’re trying to keep some new dishes in the rotation.

Thank you for taking the time to read, I hope you learned lots of new information about mangoes and their trees. We invite you to stop back sometime and check out a little more. 

Remember, we are always here to help you along your tree journey. 

References

Boudon, F., Persello, S., Grechi, I., Marquier, A., Soria, C., Fournier, C., … & Normand, F. (2018, August). Assessing the role of aging and light availability in leaf mortality in the mango tree. In XXX International Horticultural Congress IHC2018: International Symposium on Cultivars, Rootstocks and Management Systems of 1281 (pp. 601-608).

Wall‐Medrano, A., Olivas‐Aguirre, F. J., Ayala‐Zavala, J. F., Domínguez‐Avila, J. A., Gonzalez‐Aguilar, G. A., Herrera‐Cazares, L. A., & Gaytan‐Martinez, M. (2020). Health Benefits of Mango By‐products. Food Wastes and By‐products: Nutraceutical and Health Potential, 159-191.

Boudon, F., Persello, S., Grechi, I., Marquier, A., Soria, C., Fournier, C., … & Normand, F. (2018, August). Assessing the role of ageing and light availability in leaf mortality in the mango tree. In XXX International Horticultural Congress IHC2018: International Symposium on Cultivars, Rootstocks and Management Systems of 1281 (pp. 601-608).

The Japanese blueberry tree is a gorgeous evergreen tree native to Japan and China that has gained a lot of popularity in countries across the world, especially in the United States. While they are well-liked and very hardy, they still come with their own set of potential problems. 

The most common issues with Japanese blueberry trees are leaf rust, chlorosis, sunburn, pest infestation, and sooty mold. Prevent these issues by limiting pruning to the end of February and mid-March, which keeps the tree branches safe from issues that typically happen during warm weather.

Reading the rest of this article will prepare you for the various problems that you might have with your Japanese blueberry tree. Thankfully the tree is generally disease-resistant, but it can still come into trouble if overwatered or not given enough sun.

Why Do People Love The Japanese Blueberry Tree?

Japanese blueberry trees are very beautiful and beneficial additions to your yard. They can grow up to 30 feet wide and 40 feet tall but can be pruned into many different shapes. Their leaves are a rich, deep green that occasionally turns red before falling. They bloom the prettiest white flowers during spring.

These trees are attractive to birds and butterflies, which makes them pleasant additions to the yard for more than just you. 

The best part about the Japanese blueberry tree is how easy it is to take care of. They require no maintenance if you plant them in the right conditions (discussed below). However, many people prune and fertilize the tree to maximize its beauty’s potential. 

People also like them because it’s hard for them to catch a disease, but it is possible. The most frequent ailment you’ll see on the blueberry tree is sooty mold, which I’ll talk about later. 

Prime Environment Japanese Blueberries

Japanese blueberry trees are generally very hardy and can withstand drought once they are established. However, they won’t reach their maximum potential unless you put them in the right place with the right soil and conditions. 

Japanese blueberry trees should be planted in zones 8 to 11. They enjoy a full sun location and soil that is well-drained and rich in nutrients.  

If you have a Japanese blueberry tree, you should water it once a week during the summer months, and twice a week if it is extremely hot. The tree should get 15 to 20 gallons of water each week during its first two growing seasons. You want the root system to become fully established during this time. During its third growing season, you can begin watering it as needed. Don’t allow any standing water to form near the tree. 

Experts suggest fertilizing your tree three times a year, in spring, summer, and fall. There are several fertilizers available, but I recommend Jobe’s 01660 Fertilizer Spikes Tree & Shrubs because they release fertilizer slowly into the soil so it doesn’t overwhelm the tree. Place these spikes along the dripline, one per every three feet of height of the tree. 

Problems That Can Arise With Japanese Blueberry Trees 

You have spent so much precious time and money on maintaining your beautiful blueberry tree that it is no wonder why you’ve become frustrated if you experience a problem with it. 

Luckily, Japanese blueberry trees are quite hardy and relatively disease-resistant. Their problems are few, but they require care to keep these problems at bay. If you have noticed any of the issues below, don’t worry, we can fix them! 

Leaf Rust 

Normally, the leaves of the Japanese blueberry tree will fall after 2-3 years and be replaced by new leaves. The tree naturally sheds a lot of leaves and berries, but there is a problem if it is excessive and the branches are starting to become bare.  

First things first, look at the color of the leaves that have fallen. Do they have reddish-brown spots? If so, that may be leaf rust. Read on further to figure out what to do if you’re dealing with leaf rust.  

A lot of leaves will fall off if the tree does not have good enough drainage or it is not getting enough nutrients. If you notice standing water near your tree or hard, compacted soil, you probably have poor soil drainage. If you haven’t fertilized your tree since planting it, it may be lacking nutrients. 

To improve the soil drainage around your tree, start by mixing compost into the soil. It will create more air pockets for water to drain. You should add 3-4 inches of compost every year to greatly improve drainage. 

Apply a fertilizer every spring, summer, and fall to keep strong leaves growing and your tree nourished. This will create the best possible environment for it to grow full and tall. 

Tree Tops Have Begun Dying (Sunburn)

If you notice the top of your blueberry tree has started to die off leaving bare branches sticking out above the leaves, there are two reasons why this has happened. 

Japanese blueberry trees are thin-barked, so they are prone to sunburn. The part of the tree that is sunburned will die and stop sending nutrients to the leaves and branches above it. You can usually see where the damage has occurred by looking at the tree trunk right below the dying area. 

You will notice sunburn on the side that gets the most sun by its discolored bark. This happens because the top of the tree wasn’t shaded enough by the canopy. Cut off the dead branches during winter and put a burlap sack over the top of the tree to shade it until new growth appears. 

Another reason the tops of your blueberry tree are bare is an invasion of borers. Borers are wood-chewing insects that burrow into tree trunks and feed on the inner layers. They are usually beetle or caterpillar larvae. If they bore into your blueberry tree, they may have caused damage to the trunk, which means the top of the tree has been cut off from water. 

Check for this type of damage by inspecting the trunk just below the bare branches. The bark will come off easily, especially if it’s facing the most sunlight. The borers will have burrowed right underneath the bark. 

You can’t reverse the damage caused by borers, but you can apply insecticide to the tree’s soil once a year to keep them from coming back. Prune back the dead parts of the treetop during winter and be careful to leave proper canopy shade to the living branches below.  

Anytime you are pruning off the dead parts of the top of the blueberry tree, you want to keep the exposed branches from getting sunburned. Like I said before, you can put burlap sacks over the tops of the tree to provide shade. You can also paint diluted latex paint over the exposed tree branches to lower the surface temperature and allow for new growth. 

The Tree Canopy Is Thinning 

Excessive shedding of leaves is a cause of concern for your blueberry tree. You’re frustrated at the canopy thinning in your Japanese blueberry tree, but you don’t know what caused it. 

There are a couple of reasons that may explain why the canopy is thinning on your tree. The first reason could be that your tree is not getting enough water. If you’re in a desert area or somewhere with excessive heat, be very careful to water your blueberry tree often! 

If your tree isn’t getting enough water, the leaves will thin out and the inner canopy will be exposed to the sun. Like I said before, Japanese blueberry trees can get sunburned. Taking special care to water the tree enough so it doesn’t get scorched is important if you want to have this type of tree in a hot and dry climate. 

Another possible reason the canopy is thinning is that the areas that are becoming bare are not getting enough sunlight. Japanese blueberry trees will only thrive if they are getting enough sunlight, so the areas that don’t will suffer. This happens a lot when they are planted up against a fence. 

If your blueberry tree is getting enough sun and water and it still is losing a lot of leaves, then you might have other trees or Japanese blueberry trees too close to it. If the tree’s roots are competing for resources, then it might not be getting enough nutrients to keep the leaves going. 

Iron-Deficiency Chlorosis 

Chlorosis occurs in a Japanese blueberry tree when the soil doesn’t have enough iron in it or the soil’s pH levels are too high. If it is severe and combined with dry weather, then the leaves can be seriously scorched. 

Generally, the soil will have enough iron in it. However, if the soil doesn’t have a pH level higher than 6.5, it won’t be able to absorb the necessary iron. Iron is needed for the leaves to produce chlorophyll, so the first thing you’ll notice with this disease is that leaves are lightening in color and turning yellow. If it becomes severe, the yellowing leaves will fall off and branches may die back. 

Factors that can make the chlorosis worse on your blueberry tree are overwatering, soil salinity, phosphorous content, concentrations of zinc, magnesium, and copper in the soil, soil temperature, and root damage. 

The first thing you should do if you suspect chlorosis is to test the soil’s pH level. Japanese blueberry trees prefer soil that has a pH level between 6.1 and 7.3. If the pH level is too high, you know you’re dealing with chlorosis. 

As a quick fix, you can use a foliar iron spray to speed up the process of healing your blueberry tree. Try using a chelated liquid iron spray like Southern Ag Chelated Liquid Iron to get quick results on your blueberry leaves. Apply it directly on the leaves and you’ll see results within a couple of days.  

The foliar spray will only provide nutrients to the leaves themselves and doesn’t do anything to correct the problem in the soil that started the chlorosis in the first place, so only use it as a spot treatment. 

To fix the soil, create a mixture of equal parts ferrous sulfate and elemental sulfur. I highly suggest using Monterey LG7115 Dr. Soil Acidifier Granules for this job. Add 1 cup of the mixture to the soil of your Japanese blueberry tree and water it thoroughly (do not overwater!) to reach all of the tree’s roots. 

The foliar spray will have an almost immediate effect on the leaves, but don’t expect the entire tree to recover from chlorosis instantly. You will notice the changes in the next growing season. 

Sooty Tree Mold Caused By Pests 

Sooty mold, also known as black silt, is one of the very few diseases that can affect a Japanese blueberry tree. You’ll recognize it by the ugly black shadows and patches it creates on leaves, almost as if it were covered by the ash of a nearby campfire.

Luckily, sooty mold is usually harmless to your tree, but it can make the tree unpleasant to look at if too much of the black mold builds upon the leaves. The buildup can block the photosynthesis process too, which will turn some of the leaves yellow. 

If you want to do more research on what pests could be living/damaging your trees, you should check out this article on 9 Different Animals And Insects That Live In Trees.

Sooty mold can only grow on honeydew, which is the waste left by aphids, scales, or other insects feeding on your Japanese blueberry tree or any plants near it. Bees or yellow jackets buzzing around your tree is a sign that there is a lot of honeydew on it. 

You can get rid of some of the mold temporarily by spraying your tree’s leaves off with the garden hose. This doesn’t solve the pest problem that created the honeydew in the first place, so I recommend using neem oil, specifically Verdana USDA Organic Cold Pressed Neem Oil, to take them out and keep honeydew from continuing to form on the tree. 

Leaf Rust Discoloring Leaves 

The last common problem that Japanese blueberry trees experience is leaf rust. Leaf rust is caused by the fungus Naohidemyces vaccinii. Younger leaves are more vulnerable to this fungus and older leaves are more resistant. This fungus will grow faster in warmer weather, so it is more detrimental to Japanese blueberry trees in warmer climates. 

According to Michigan State University, you will notice leaf rust by the yellow spots that grow on the leaves in mid-season that turn brownish-red as time goes on. The leaves will eventually fall off. 

Luckily, the disease is not fatal to the tree. It is annoying, however, because it can ruin the beauty of your tree by causing leaf loss and stunting new bloom growth in the next spring. 

The ailment can grow on your tree fast. The fungus can grow on leaves after 48 hours of wetness. Because of this, you should only water your Japanese blueberry tree at the soil line without getting any of the leaves wet. Avoid overwatering as well. 

The first thing you should do if you notice leaf rust is to apply a fungicide to stop the spread and save the rest of your leaves. I suggest using Bonide 811 Copper 4E Fungicide on the leaves to keep any more from getting affected.  

Rake up any fallen leaves beneath the tree and burn them (if your area allows it). Doing this will keep the fungus from being spread by humans, animals, air, or water.  

Later on, in the season, some of the infected leaves will grow telia on it, which is a fungal structure that lets the fungus stay alive during the winter and reinfect again in the spring. That’s why it’s important to rake up the fallen leaves and destroy them. 

Wrapping Up 

Good maintenance of your Japanese blueberry tree will give it the best chance of flourishing into a gorgeous tree, shrub, or topiary, depending on your tastes. Its versatility and attractiveness make it a highly sought-after tree by those who have discovered it. 

If you do decide to add this tree to your yard, make sure to give it the best chance of survival from the moment of planting. You can do this by choosing somewhere with good air circulation, full sun, and well-draining soil.  

If you’re interested in growing other trees that can bear beautiful fruit, consider reading this blog on 6 Of The Best Fruit Trees That Have Shallow Roots.

If you have a Japanese blueberry tree, research to find out the best living conditions for it. Even though they are hardy plants, these trees are beautiful when they have flourished. Don’t waste your money with a sad blueberry tree when you could have a healthy and thriving one that compliments your yard!a

References

“Elaeocarpus Decipiens.” North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, NC State.  

Koenig, Rich, and Mike Kuhns. “Control of Iron Chlorosis in Ornamental and Crop Plants.” Cooperative Extension, Utah State University, June 2010. 

Schilder, Annemiek. “Beware of Blueberry Leaf Rust.” MSU Extension, Michigan State University, 20 Sept. 2018. 

You have heard of the popular tongue-twister: how much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood, but let’s change it to beavers and ask ‘why.’ If you are looking for some digestible, but true, reasons why and how beavers cut down trees, this is the piece for you! 

Beavers cut down trees to make food easier to access, prepare lodging, and store fat for the winter. The dams and lodges they build also act as protection from predators and the elements. In general, a beaver can cut through a mature tree in approximately 8 minutes.

Before we continue our discussion of why exactly beavers cut down trees (and how they do so), let’s dive into what a beaver is, exactly!

What Is A Beaver?

Beavers are large, semi-aquatic rodents with a broad tail to aid in swimming and large teeth to help them cut down trees successfully. 

These critters are part of the Castor genus and, within this classification, we most commonly see two different species of beaver: the Eurasian beaver and the North American beaver.

Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute tells us a beaver has orange teeth due to its protective coating and those teeth continue to grow throughout a beaver’s life. This is likely because they chew through so much wood they would otherwise wear their teeth down completely.

Beavers are well-designed to thrive in water and on land, with front paws that are clawed and more easily used to get across terrestrial surfaces, whereas their back paws are webbed and much more akin to those of an aquatic animal.

While you might not expect it, beavers can swim pretty darn fast- up to 6mph, about 3 times as fast as an average human swimmer (though Olympians sometimes swim at a similar 5-6mph.) On land, these critters get a little less refined- walking awkwardly between their clawed front paws and webbed, larger back ones.

Not to worry though, the beaver’s speed (and amazing lung capacity) outweigh any awkwardness they may encounter on land. Beavers can swim for about a quarter of an hour underwater, which we would dare to say is longer than the vast majority of other rodents.

A beaver’s eyesight is not quite up-to-par, so they rely on their ears and whiskers to help them feel out (and ‘hear’ out) spaces. This comes in handy because the dams and lodges beavers build may be secure, but they are also incredibly dark.

Sunset and sunrise may be undetectable markers of time inside a beaver’s lodging because of how thick the wooden walls are. It is a good thing beavers do not need excellent sight, because they certainly would not have good visibility in their homes, regardless.

Also, unlike most other rodents, beavers’ tails are quite broad and can range from being shorter and wider to longer and slimmer, though the general design remains relatively similar across species.

Cool, so now we know a bit more about beavers, but what about different TYPES of beavers?

You can learn even more about beavers in At Home with the Beaver: The Story of a Keystone Species. It provides information about all the species beavers provide habitat to.

American Beaver 

The American beaver is the state mammal of New York- now we bet you did not know that one. (But if you did, props for knowing your stuff!)

This species has a longer and flatter tail, which can help to distinguish this species of beaver. It is also black instead of brown.

The National Wildlife Federation confirms the beaver is the largest rodent in all of the United States, clocking in at 2-3 feet long. Guess what? This length does not even factor in the tail!

These populations are stable, even after a history of being hunted in the Americas for their pelts. In the early 1600s we almost eradicated the animal from what is now New York state, but not to worry- beavers made a comeback and there are now plenty of them all over the continental U.S. 

Eurasian Beaver 

As you might assume after seeing this species’ name, Eurasian beavers populate areas of Europe and Asia.

However, you might not know this once-widespread creature is now found primarily in certain regions of Europe, thanks to centuries of overhunting. 

Certain efforts have been made in recent decades to help beavers become once again populous, but these things take time. 

You can differentiate this species by their broader and more oval-shaped tail when compared to an American beaver.

In the wild, these animals can live between 10 and 20 years, though lifespans fall at the lower end of the range because of environmental factors and poaching.

4 Reasons Beavers Cut Down Trees

Alright, this is it… the moment you have been waiting for! The rhyme and reason of it all. The 4 main reasons beavers do what they do, which will eventually lead us to talk about how they do it.

When it comes down to it, these reasons have to do with survival over comfort. However, the lodges beavers build can be pretty cool and the way they harvest the wood they use is, too.

Here are a few reasons beavers spend so much time and energy working to cut down trees.

Beavers Cut Down Trees For Food

Beavers are herbivores. Haven’t heard the term in a while? It’s okay. 

It means beavers only eat plant products. 

Anything from aquatic plants to leaves off of trees and even the wood itself can make a meal for a beaver.

Funny enough, what they use to build is also their preferred type of food. It seems hard to believe building materials could combine as a meal, but hey, we don’t make the rules!

Beavers cut down trees because they cannot climb them. So, to reach those lush green leaves, they have to bring the top of the tree down to their level. 

At this stage, a beaver might decide to eat more or to break up the branches and twigs along with other tree bits to build a dam or a lodge. 

When you can’t eat, build… right??

You might wonder how there is any nutritional value in these tree bits, but they provide quite a bit of value to beavers. 

Like other plants, they need to be preserved to offer a significant amount of nutrition. This is where the cold water inside dams and lodges comes in handy- it acts as a sort of cooler or refrigerator system to keep these harvested parts of plants cold and full of their nutritional value. 

During the winter, beavers will eat the stems and branches they stored away at earlier times in the year, often as they worked to build their living structures. 

Did you know a beaver’s tail doubles as a place to store fat for the winter? They also use them to warn others of danger when they slap into the water in a certain way.

Beavers Cut Down Trees For Wood To Build Homes

This might be the most obvious of the reasons, the one you were expecting to see. It is true, beavers use a ton of wood for their lodging, but how much do you really know about that?

Beavers are commonly referred to as ecosystem engineers because, as we mentioned above, their lodges truly can affect the entire ecosystem around them.

These creatures are nocturnal and build these structures at night, which makes them appear to be sneaky creatures, while in reality, this is just their most productive period. 

Water levels have to be at least 2 feet deep, but ideally are higher, because they build lodges with hunkering down for the winter in mind. If beavers build a lodge in waters that are too shallow, the bottom half of their home (including those underwater entrances) might freeze during the cold season.

Though lower waters do not work with lodges, they are well-suited for dams that can be built in areas with faster-moving water like rivers, or lower levels of water like small ponds.

These structures are also often works in progress. Beavers may add bedding to the floor of sleeping chambers, create roofs and extra chambers, and make other additions as the need for space grows.

It is common for these creatures to first form a passageway before then digging out a living chamber (the central open space of a lodge) by pushing up on the pieces of wood or even gnawing their way through sections that need to be widened.

Okay, so now that we know a bit more about how lodging works- let’s discuss how beavers might use these spaces for general protection from predators.

Cutting Down Trees Provides Beavers With Protection

Those dams (and also the lodges) beavers build themselves often have many entrances, but they are almost all going to be found underwater. So, natural predators like coyotes, foxes, great-horned owls, and bobcats cannot get in. It can even block otters from entering these spaces.

Beavers design dams to be so much more functional than most people realize, combing style and safety into a secure and sound design. It also helps them stay social with other beavers. 

If danger arises, a beaver can swim quickly into their lodge using those powerful lungs and quick swimming skills. 

On a similar note, if anything occurs inside the lodge, a beaver can escape its home easily and rapidly. 

Dams and lodges are built for easy access by beavers and defense against any predators. 

Just as the beaver is famous for slapping its tail in the water to signal danger, dams are infamous for being the cherished homes and protectors of the species, and for good reason.

This protection extends far past predators and also helps beavers find refuge from the elements. 

When temperatures drop to freezing or below in the winter, beavers have a safe haven underneath the surface. The water may be cold, but beaver’s food storage throughout the summer and fall months has helped them to prepare deeply for a moment like this. 

Storms, ice, and other elements on the outside do not affect the inhabitants of the lodges nearly as much as they would if these animals had to live out in the open air.

Beavers Cut Down Trees To Provide Sustenance for Winter

Beavers do not hibernate, so they need all 3 of the above benefits to be made more accessible during the cold winter months when ground and water freeze over.

During the fall months, beavers will eat more bark than usual to help them fatten up for the cold and long months of winter. 

Even during periods when beavers are not looking to bulk up, tree material comprises the vast majority of their diet, only supplemented by water plants they might find as they swim around. 

During the winter, when resources are low, the natural refrigerator system we have discussed above provides easy and reliable access to food beavers can use to sustain their already-fattened bodies. This helps them to remain active and nourished throughout even the iciest of winter days.

Even if the stockpile runs out- all is not lost!

The University of North Texas describes it like this: if beavers ever run out of food in their naturally refrigerated underwater storage piles, it’s no big deal! Why? They just start eating pieces of their home- easy peasy.

On top of the access to food, let’s not forget the shelters beavers build are complex and protect against more than just predators. Weather-based dangers are also kept safely out of reach of beavers as they stay warm (enough) and safe in their thick wooden lodges and dams.

How Do Beavers Cut Down Trees?

Okay, everything so far is all fine and dandy. Beavers eat, sleep, and live among the trees, but how on earth are those little animals able to cut down entire trees? 

They do not know how to work chainsaws… right? 

Beavers do not need power tools, because they have something naturally powerful on them at all times. 

Beaver’s teeth are no joke. 

Beavers will rapidly chew through the bark and the trunk of a tree, chipping away small pieces of wood at a quick rate, which causes the tree to come crashing down within minutes. 

First, they strip away the bark with this quick gnawing, giving way to the softer wood of the trees, the beaver’s target. 

The way they wear their teeth down while they keep growing makes the shape of their incisors perfectly suited to chomp and chew straight through as many trees as a beaver needs. 

Remember, the reason for this chewing could be a beaver needs to build a new lodge to sleep in, wants to store fat for the winter, needs to be protected from a predator by building a shelter, or simply wants a snack. 

Whatever the reason, it does not take a beaver long to achieve its goal of cutting down any tree- no matter the size.

How Long Does It Take A Beaver To Chew Through A Tree?

Beavers can cut down as many as 200 trees a year, but what does their rate of chewing seriously look like?

One beaver can remove nearly 150 chips of wood from a tree with a 5-inch diameter, which would topple the tree in mere moments. This means it would take about 8 minutes to cut down a relatively mature tree, depending on the species. 

These expert lumberjacks make other species, and machines, look silly.

Beavers prefer trees with a diameter of fewer than 6 inches because the bark of smaller trees is more nutritious. This way, they can reap the benefits of the bark and have a quicker chewing time to cut down the rest of the wood. They use this as food reserves or wood for building lodging. 

A beaver will typically work alone to fell a tree (cut it down), but the colony as a whole will often work to break up sections of the tree. They then divide these sections into food or building materials, and you get the picture!

What Kind Of Trees Do Beavers Prefer?

Beavers use whatever trees they find in their general environment- some popular species of which are poplar, maple, birch, aspen, and willow.

Softwood trees are the most commonly cut down by beavers. 

Since they eat parts of the same trees they use to build, they hold a special preference for those they enjoy munching on. Aspen, poplar, and cottonwood trees are some fan favorites. So, if you have any of these trees and live in a wooded area near any significant aquatic areas- pay extra attention to them. 

Where Are Beavers Found?

In North America, aside from some of the desert regions of the West, beavers can be found all over!

Ponds, lakes, rivers, marshes, wooded areas, streams, and wetland areas are just some environments beavers call home. 

You probably know beavers build dams, but did you know they can also build lodges nearly 7 feet tall, and sometimes even higher?

This is great for beavers because it means they can adapt their environments to fit their needs. Unlike many other animals, beavers can quite literally create new habitats of their own.

It is for this reason beavers need wood, but their motivations are more complex than this alone.

The dams beavers build are made primarily of sticks and reeds. Sometimes, they also add branches and saplings into these wood and mud-walled structures.

These structures can create new habitats because they result in ponds moving, although slowly. They can also support other aquatic life as well as food and water sources for other, larger animals. 

The other structure beavers create, lodges, sit both above and below the waterline, with multiple entrances underneath the surface. However, other parts of the lodge may be above water, such as the sleeping area. 

Beavers typically prepare for and construct these lodges during the summer and winter months to get ready for the winter, but more on this later!

That’s A Wrap!

Well, that’s all we have for you today. We hope you learned a lot of new information about why, how, and when beavers work to cut down trees. 

The primary goal is this piece is just like a beaver’s teeth- not dull!

Learning about the surrounding wildlife not only helps us to live more harmoniously with nature, but it also helps us to understand the reasons we should want to!

Also, knowing how and why beavers cut down trees is just one more piece of the puzzle as we work to grow on our personal and collective tree journeys.

Here are the 4 reasons why beavers cut down trees:

• Beavers eat trees from leaves and twigs to large sticks.
• Beavers build lodging materials from cut down wood.
• Dams and lodges double as predator protection for beavers.
• Trees help beavers store fat when eaten, but also protect them from the elements when lived in, during cold winter months.

Essentially, beavers cut down trees and get a snack, a place to sleep, defense, and shelter from the elements. Not a bad four-in-one deal if you ask us!!

Now, we’ll let you go- thanks for reading and learning with us.

I hope this piece helped you learn something new. As usual, good luck as you continue along your tree journey, and we hope to welcome you again soon!

References

Müller-Schwarze, D. (2011). The beaver. Cornell University Press.

Saunders, D. A. (1988.) Adirondack Mammals. State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry. 216pp.

Greyhounds of the desert, perhaps better known as cheetahs, are large cats native to the African continent. These large cats are notably fast and physically unique.

When cheetahs are smaller, younger, and more agile, they use trees as a playground. They also use tree climbing for communication, as well as marking their territory. While marking their territory, cheetahs use the high ground to survey the land for potential prey.

Below, we’re going to discuss whether cheetahs are adept climbers and how they climb, along with discussing exactly what a cheetah is! Let’s get to it!

Can Cheetahs Climb Trees?

Funny enough, and unlike other big cats, cheetahs are not natural climbers. 

If you do a quick google search without looking into some research, or even digging through a few search results to compare, you might think cheetahs do not climb trees at all. 

While this is not true, there is some validity because cheetahs do not climb regularly. Their bodies are simply not built with climbing as a priority.

The leopard, for example, is much keener to climb trees. This is likely because it is a jungle cat, while cheetahs originate from the plains of the African continent with fewer trees to climb.

So, in what cases can you find a cheetah climbing a tree?

Why Do Cheetahs Climb Trees?

There are just a few reasons for cheetahs to be climbing in trees, and it is important to know they are not necessarily standard practice for all cheetahs. 

Remember, climbing trees is more of an exception to the rule for these furry felines.

Cheetah Cubs Use Trees As A Playground

When cheetahs are still cubs with smaller bodies and more agility to climb, trees can act as a great location to play. 

There are photographs of mothers and cubs up in trees, even if it may have taken a while to get up into the branches compared to their other big cat relatives. 

Think for a moment about how house cats like to play on ‘cat condos’ and things they can climb. It is the same sort of concept when you see cheetahs, especially young ones, slowly but surely scampering into the trees.

Cheetahs Use Trees For Communication

Information from the Cheetah Conservation Fund tells us this particular instance where it is more common to see cheetahs climbing in trees has some complex meaning behind it.

Trees are not solely a place for cheetahs to play, they also act as a medium for communication.

This is seen most commonly, and pretty recently, in Namibian cheetahs. It was discovered just a few decades ago these trees also seem to act as territorial markers for cheetahs.

The trees cheetahs can climb and use for communication are defined by some physical traits.

Trees with sloped trunks rather than trunks coming up at a 90-degree angle from the ground are better suited for cheetahs to climb. The limbs of these sorts of trees are large and horizontal, providing a great platform for cheetahs to climb around on. 

Let’s dig into how cheetahs specifically use trees to communicate, though, shall we?

Cheetahs Use Trees To Mark Territory

Communication has many forms, but marking one’s territory is a little less complex. 

Cheetahs climb trees to survey the land for prey, but in going into the trees, something else also happens. These big cats will go from play tree to play tree in a given area, leaving their mark as they go.

How do they leave their mark?

Think of other animals, even your pet dog, that mark their territory and you might come up with a few ideas.

Essentially, cheetahs will urinate on the trunk of a tree or leave scat on the branches to stake their claim to an area. 

This communicates with other cheetahs, and perhaps other species altogether, that an individual has already claimed a space.

The reason trees are the chosen location for this action has a lot to do with the environment of the area cheetahs often live in. 

In sandy areas like deserts, shrublands, and open plains, few areas will remain visibly marked up by an animal. 

Sand blows, grass can be stomped and ruffled by many species, and there are few other natural landmarks they can use to claim a place. 

Trees offer a surface softer than rock, higher than some mounds of sand, and they stand out more than some of the other nature surrounding them. 

They are the perfect place for cheetahs to mark their territory. 

How Do Cheetahs Climb Trees?

As we mentioned before, it is not the easiest thing in the world for cheetahs to climb trees.

The body of a cheetah is built specifically for speed, which is what makes it the fastest land animal on earth. They do not just get this superlative by chance, and it means some other abilities like having big teeth to chew and climbing trees, for example, are not the most important to this species. 

Their retractable claws and special pads used to create traction are not only good for running, though. 

While cheetahs may not be natural-born climbers, they can still do so when the conditions are right.

So, how do the smallest of the big cats do it?

Thanks to many physical attributes that make this cat the fastest, the cheetah can climb trees well enough. 

While cheetahs physically can climb trees, they do not do so often. That is why most searches of cheetahs climbing trees will give you pieces saying cheetahs cannot do this activity. 

Cheetahs are not the best climbers, this much is true, but they are certainly physically able.

They Use Their Paw Pads

You know cheetahs have paw pads capable of creating some serious traction but have you thought about all the ways this could benefit these animals?

Cheetahs need this extra traction while running at top speed, but these cats do more than just run. 

As a cheetah is attempting to climb a tree, what might come in handy?

You guessed it- paw pads with an extra bit of grip!

While cheetahs’ paws are not sticky or grippy in how other species’ might be, they have merit of their own. 

The paw pads on a cheetah can help keep some traction as they move their paws along the bark of a tree they are climbing. 

Similar to how humans wear special shoes to go rock climbing and bouldering, cheetahs’ paw pads help create some stability not only as they run but also as they climb trees to mark their territory.

Their Semi-Retractable Claws Help Them Climb

In a similar vein to the paw pads, the retractable claws cheetahs get to sport also offer some help when these big cats go climbing.

Let’s draw another parallel to human sports for a moment. 

Bear with us here.

When rock climbers hit sheets of ice, when mountaineers reach the snowy tops of mountains, when park rangers go on steep solo treks, they all wear shoes with some sort of spike. 

While the semi-retractable claws cheetahs have are uncommon in the overall cat family, this irregularity comes in quite handy- no pun intended.

First, what does semi-retractable mean?

When a cat retracts its claws, it is moving a tendon to contract the claw up and into its paw. This, in most cat species, works to help them keep their claws sharp while maintaining a level of surprise when hunting prey. 

Semi-retractable means the claws cannot go all the way into the paw of the cat. 

So, cheetahs are always walking around with at least a partial claw out ready to grip, tear, or whatever else a claw might do.

This is beneficial in more ways than one. For instance, cheetahs can use their claws at different lengths to grip onto the tree they are climbing. 

This may not be great for the tree if a cheetah digs too deep, but it will undoubtedly help it climb up there.

Now, aside from aspects of physique related to the paw, there is one more big factor that might just determine how successfully a cheetah can climb up a tree. 

This factor is age.

Young Cheetahs Are Better Climbers

For a moment, think of what it was like to be playing in a tree as a kid. You probably felt more limber, a little more courageous, and it was likely easier to wind through the branches than it would be as an adult. 

If you are still a kid- enjoy climbing those trees with ease!!

On a related note (we promise), young cheetahs have an easier time climbing up trees than their older relatives do. 

Thanks to their youthful bodies being small, lightweight, and not yet as strategically built to run ultra-fast, cheetah cubs have an advantage when it comes to climbing.

Little cheetahs can scamper up trees using those padded paws and semi-retractable claws because they have less bodyweight to pull up with them and can more freely move among the branches. 

This is, again, not to say that adult cheetahs don’t climb trees, but their youthful counterparts just do it in a breeze

What Is A Cheetah?

A cheetah is a carnivorous mammal that inhabits broad sections of Africa. 

Its status is vulnerable, which falls in between ‘near threatened’ and ‘endangered’ on a conservation scale. 

Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute tell us cheetahs can accelerate from 0 to 45mph in just 2.5 seconds. This fun fact makes cheetahs the fastest land mammal on the planet.

Did you know cheetahs can reach a speed of 60 to 70mph?

Think about driving a car. Not just anywhere, though. Just imagine driving a car on the highway, looking over, and seeing a huge cat running right next to you. 

A cheetah could compete with the speed of a car any day, something we hope to leave up to the imagination for now.

If you are looking for more information on cheetahs and their current day plights, check out Remembering Cheetahs: Remembering Wildlife. It contains photographs from some of the top wildlife photographers in the world, and raises money for charity with each sale.

Identifying A Cheetah

Cheetahs have small heads and high set eyes, as well as a black tear mark from the inner corner of the eyes down to the mouth. 

You will see white sections of fur around the cheetah’s eyes and neck, as well as the underside of their belly, while the rest of their body is a yellow or tan color as the base. 

If you did not already know, cheetahs sport black spots all over their bodies, which act as camouflage within the grasses of the savannah and the shadows cast by this environmental feature.

The appearance of a cheetah is important, but the traits they physically use are even more significant when understanding how cheetahs live and survive in the wild.

Physical Traits Of A Cheetah

Cheetahs, as a species, have many highly beneficial physical traits, as well as some superlatives they hold, like the fastest land mammal.

With partially retractable claws and special paw pads, cheetahs have the gift of great traction even as they exponentially speed up from rest to their peak speed of 70mph.

Every part of a cheetah’s physique helps with its speed. From a tail made to help with turning and balancing to a slender body with long legs, speed is a part of this animal’s very nature.

Some traits hinder cheetahs more than help them.

Cheetahs have large lungs and nostrils meant to provide a ton of air to their lungs while running, which means they have much less space for their teeth. 

Since cheetahs have such relatively small teeth, they have to suffocate their prey.

While cheetahs are undoubtedly lethal to their prey, they cannot fight with other predators and are at a disadvantage because of their small teeth.

Where Do Cheetahs Live?

The areas of the African continent cheetahs inhabit include North, Eastern, and Southern Africa.

There is a species of the cheetah native to Iran, but is critically endangered, unfortunately. The Iranian cheetah is one of the most endangered felids in the world.

Countries like Kenya, Namibia, Botswana, and Tanzania are home to most cheetahs thanks to their dry environments with shrublands.

The spots cheetahs sport on their fur helps them blend into these grass and shrublands. The shadows from a direct and harsh amount of sunlight give off a similar black cast within the tan grass.

So, we know now where cheetahs live, but how long do they live?

Lifespan Of A Cheetah

If you have a house cat, you might be ready to predict the lifespan of a cheetah. They are all just cats, right?

Well, not quite. 

Cheetahs actually only live between 8 to 10 years in the wild. Territorial conflicts, a constant pressure to catch and keep prey, and other environmental factors, cause their lifespan to be about ⅔ of a common house cat’s.

In human care, however, cheetahs can live up to 15 years.

This is because captivity removes some of the environmental factors, though the lifespan of this creature is relatively short no matter what way you swing it. 

In this pretty brief life, what is a cheetah’s diet like?

What Do Cheetahs Eat?

Many big cats are nocturnal hunters, giving them the benefit of slinking around in the dark. 

Cheetahs have speed on their side and do not need this leg up. So, you can expect cheetahs to hunt in the early morning hours as well as late afternoon.

The primary food source for cheetahs is animals ranging from small to medium, such as antelope and the young of larger animals like warthogs. 

Game and birds also contribute to a cheetah’s diet, though they are not the majority of the food these animals use to sustain themselves.

Cheetahs have to be on the defensive during mealtimes, as other animals like lions and vultures create competition. 

Even though these big cats are fast, they are often bullied into losing their prey by other predators thanks to their lack of ability to fight. 

Remember the discussion about cheetahs having small teeth? Well, it comes into play here when we consider they are much less likely to win in a fight with a lion.

Cheetahs do not come back to prey once they leave them, so they must eat quickly and efficiently to avoid losing them altogether to a competitor.

That’s It!

Well, that’s pretty much all we have on cheetahs and trees. 

While the big cats can certainly climb trees contrary to other random internet searches you might find, the activity is not their forte. 

Unlike other big cats like lions, leopards, jaguars ,and more, cheetahs often stay on the ground. 

They can run laps around any of their cousins any time though. Cheetahs have their own set of rules to go by. 

Remember, there are 3 reasons a cheetah will climb up in a tree:

• Play: Young cheetahs love to climb around and play wherever they can. After a while, it is all about the hunt, and these youngsters make use of their ‘free’ time in those early days. 
  
• Communication: There are ways animals, including cheetahs, communicate that have nothing to do with sound. Cheetahs climb trees to see prey, to stake a claim, and to convey several other messages. 
  
• To Mark Territory: Circling back to communication, cheetahs’ main purpose for climbing trees seems to be marking their territory. It is hard to leave a mark in the constantly blowing sand, and trees offer a great blank slate to stake a claim.

We hope this piece gave you some extra insight into the relationship between cheetahs and trees. 

Until next time, we hope you continue your tree journey and keep learning about all the crazy interactions that make our planet so interesting!

Oh, and (as always), thanks for sticking with us.

References

​​Farhadinia, M. (2004). The last stronghold: cheetah in Iran. Cat News, 40, 11-14.

Marker, L. L., & Dickman, A. J. (2003). Morphology, physical condition, and growth of the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus). Journal of mammalogy, 84(3), 840-850.