In a fascinating endeavor, sound artist Jeff Rice has ingeniously placed a hydrophone within a cavity at the base of Pando, unveiling the concealed symphony resonating within its roots.
Utah is home to the extraordinary Pando, often referred to as the “world’s largest tree.” Recent recordings have brought to light the hidden voices that traverse through the ground as millions of leaves tremble in the wind, offering insights into its enduring existence.
What Is Pando?
Pando is a unique quaking aspen tree with a massive root system that has given birth to an entire forest, boasting 47,000 stems spread across a vast 100-acre expanse.
Appropriately named “Pando,” which means “I spread” in Latin, this ancient male quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) has thrived silently for an estimated 12,000 years, with its towering tree-like stems reaching heights of up to 24 meters (80 feet).
The Enigmatic Voice of the Ancient Organism, Pando
Sound artist Jeff Rice, in his experimental pursuit, cleverly positioned a hydrophone within a hollow at the base of the tree, unveiling the concealed symphony within its roots, as reported by Live Science. The device captured a mesmerizing chorus of vibrations that echoed through the branches and permeated the earth. It even amplified the faintest sounds during thunderstorms, as detailed by The Guardian.
Rice explained, “Hydrophones don’t just need water to work. They can also pick up vibrations from surfaces like roots, and when I put on my headphones, I was instantly surprised. Something was happening. There was a faint sound.”
Through these captivating recordings, the interconnection of Pando’s root system became apparent, providing a glimpse into the mysteries of this enigmatic natural wonder.
Rice remarked, “What you’re hearing, I think, is the sound of millions of leaves in the forest, vibrating the tree and passing down through the branches, down into the earth.”
Despite the prevalence of shared root systems in colonial quaking aspens, Pando’s exceptional size and age set it apart as a unique entity, making it the subject of extensive research and conservation efforts.
Revelatory Findings
What began as an artistic project quickly gained scientific recognition, attracting the attention of the scientific community. Lance Oditt, the founder of Friends of Pando, highlighted the potential for this innovation to delve into the intricate hydraulic system of Pando without causing harm.
Oditt stated, “The findings are tantalizing. While it started as art, we see enormous potential for use in science. Wind, converted to vibration (sound) and traveling the root system, could also reveal the inner workings of Pando’s vast hidden hydraulic system in a non-destructive manner.”
The groundbreaking recordings were unveiled at the 184th Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America, further solidifying Pando’s significance in both artistic and scientific realms.
