Rainforest romanticism is derailing our hunt for new drugs
20 June 2018
The more pristine the forest, the more attractive it looks to conservationists. The reality is more complex, argues an eclectic new book, The Ethnobotany of Eden
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Premium
Harsh: Europe's cannabis died just as the first farmers arrived
17 May 2018
Cannabis – the source of the drug marijuana – virtually disappeared from Europe just as farmers arrived, so they didn’t get the chance to grow it for another 4500 years
It is worth valuing trees, but all deserve our respect
9 May 2018
The benefits trees bring to our lives are now being quantified by a band of treeconomists, an approach that could help us give trees the respect they deserve
Treeconomics: How to put a fair price tag on urban forests
9 May 2018
We can now calculate the exact value of a tree, from shade to beauty. Doing so could be the best way to protect them – and plan the forests of the future
The world's tallest tree costs more than a private island
9 May 2018
We valued 7 of the world's most famous trees, from strangler figs draping ancient ruins to a 9000-year-old spruce. The most pricey comes in at £11 million
The spiky but stunning burrs that litter the South African coast
4 April 2018
Walk barefoot through the grass in South Africa and you may step on one of these spiky seeds, which lie in wait, hoping to catch a ride to someplace new
Growing skills: Top tips for producing the best veg in town
28 February 2018
Tomato suckers aren't all bad, Frankenstein squash probably won't take over and there are betters ways to protect your prized veg than planting companion species
Growing skills: A scientific guide to greener fingers
28 February 2018
From lining your pots with gravel to staking your trees, gardening tips are a dime a dozen. But which are gospel and which can safely be buried?
4 ways your eco-friendly plot is no good – and how to fix it
28 February 2018
Plants that are meant to give your garden an ecological boost can back-fire, but if you're savvy your plot can still be a haven for wildlife
Growing skills: How to get the prettiest flowers on the block
28 February 2018
Find out what the Chelsea chop is and whether it works, how to turn your hydrangeas blue and whether you should you tie up your daffodils for the best display next year
