On the effect of the luni-solar gravitational attraction on trees

TL;DR

This study reanalyzes old and new electrical measurements on trees, revealing that their electrical signals are strongly linked to luni-solar tides, suggesting tidal forces influence sap flow.

Contribution

It demonstrates that tree electrical signals can be decomposed into tidal-related pseudo-periods with high precision, confirming the influence of lunar and solar tides on tree physiology.

Findings

Electrical signals are over 80% explained by luni-solar tidal periods.

Reproduced measurements show consistent tidal-related electrical patterns.

Tidal forces may drive sap flow in trees.

Abstract

In this paper, we revisit old electrical measurements conducted on a poplar tree in 2003 (Gibert et al. 2006), which showed the presence of a diurnal electrical signal, attributed to an electrokinetic phenomenon correlated with sap flow, even in winter. We reanalyze these data using the singular spectrum analysis method and demonstrate that the electrical signal measured at various locations (roots, trunk, and branches) on the poplar tree can be decomposed to over 80\% into a sum of 7 pseudo-periods, all linked to luni-solar tides. The precision of the extracted periods exceeds that of models. To validate these old measurements, we have reproduced the 2003 protocol since 2018 at the Jardin des Plantes in Paris, on 3 oak trees and 3 hornbeams. The electrical signals today exhibit the same characteristics as those of 2003. Tidal forces could be a driving force of sap flow in trees.