# Trees as a metaphor to understand relationships in biology

## TL;DR

This editorial discusses how the phylogenetic tree serves as a metaphor to understand biological relationships and highlights two new essays on its future.

## Contribution

The paper introduces and discusses two new essays that explore the evolving role of phylogenetic trees in biology.

## Key findings

- The phylogenetic tree remains a central metaphor in evolutionary biology.
- Two new essays are presented to explore future directions for the use of phylogenetic trees.

## Abstract

The phylogenetic tree has been a core conceptual tool for evolutionary biology for nearly 200 years. This editorial explores the role of the tree as a metaphor, discussing two new PLOS Biology Essays that look to the future.

The phylogenetic tree has been a core conceptual tool for evolutionary biology for nearly 200 years. This editorial explores the role of the tree as a metaphor, discussing two new PLOS Biology Essays that look to the future.