Shape and symmetry help determine where a leaf lands — and if the tree it came from can recoup the leaf’s carbon as it decomposes.

Q. Last year, my plum tree didn’t have any fruit at all. This spring, it has so many plums that I’m afraid the branches may break! Why? This phenomenon is called “alternate year bearing” and is very ...

With spring blooming all around us, it's only natural to pay a bit more attention to the trees than we usually might. But ...