The Afterlife of Trees: A Science Conversation with Amy Zanne | in-person

On Friday, October 24 at 7pm, join us for a special event featuring Cary scientist Dr. Amy Zanne. In conversation with Cary President Josh Ginsberg, Zanne will bring guests into the rich and often unseen world of dead trees. Discover the role deadwood plays in ecosystems and the myriad creatures that rely on fallen trees. This will include fungi at the heart of decomposition — including dead man’s fingers and glow-in-the-dark Jack-o'-lantern mushrooms — as well as  terrific termites, most of whom prefer the forest to your home.

Wood decay has climate-implications, as trees store enormous amounts of carbon. Depending on the tree species, and its environment, deadwood can take years, decades, or even centuries to decompose. Through field experiments and global collaborations, Zanne is refining our understanding of the timescale of carbon release from deadwood — across geographies and tree types — to better inform forest management and climate models.

As she recently shared with : Zanne sees a hidden wonderland in decomposition, populated by overlooked, disregarded players that nonetheless have critical roles in an evolving ecosystem. “I love thinking about the underdogs, the underseen things, and how hidden things make the world go round,” she says. A dead tree is “just a transition to something else.”

This program is made possible, in part, by support from Harney & Sons Fine Teas and Heather Croner Real Estate.