Scientists find tree muscles that help trunks stay upright
Researchers at INRAE discovered in October 2026 that trees use specialized wood acting like muscles to straighten their trunks.
Proprioception found in plants
Trees possess an internal sense known as proprioception that allows them to monitor their own posture. This ability was previously thought to exist only in animals before researchers confirmed it in plants in 2012. Scientists now understand how this sense helps trees adjust their growth to remain vertical.
Specialized wood acts like muscles
The study reveals that specific types of wood function similarly to opposing muscles within the trunk. These biological structures enable the tree to physically move and correct its shape without external help. This mechanism explains how trees maintain stability despite environmental pressures.
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