Every year, on the 20th of July, International Moon Day is celebrated: A day acknowledged by the United Nations. You can read more about the United Nations’ connection to this day by visiting their official website.

The Moon, Trees, and Life on Earth: A Timeless Connection

For thousands of years, our ancestors around the world have looked up at the Moon with wonder. It has inspired stories, guided calendars, and helped people understand the passing of time. But the Moon is more than a beautiful object in the night sky. It plays an important role in our planet Earth’s natural systems and reminds us that all life on our planet is deeply connected.

Although the Moon is about 385,000 kilometres (239,000 miles) away, its gravity influences Earth every day. From the movement of the oceans to the rhythms of many living organisms, the Moon quietly shapes our natural world.

A serene view of the moon rising over a tranquil sea with a distant horizon at twilight.

The Moon’s Most Visible Gift: The Tides

The Moon’s gravitational pull creates the ocean tides. As seawater rises and falls, nutrients are carried through coastal ecosystems, supporting fish, shellfish, seabirds, and countless other species.

These tides are also essential for mangrove forests. Mangroves depend on regular tidal flooding, which brings fresh nutrients, removes waste, and helps spread seeds. As we previously explored in this article, these remarkable mangrove forests protect coastlines, provide habitat for wildlife, and store large amounts of carbon, making them valuable allies in the fight against climate change.

Our community in Fiji, preparing for mangrove planting.

Does the Moon Affect Tree Growth?

This question has fascinated people for centuries. Many traditional cultures have used the phases of the Moon to decide when to plant, prune, or harvest trees. Today, scientists continue to investigate whether the Moon has subtle effects on trees.

One well-known study published in Nature found that the diameter of tree trunks can change in tiny, regular patterns that closely match the lunar tidal cycle. The researchers suggested that the Moon’s gravitational pull may slightly influence the movement of water inside trees, much like it affects the oceans, although on a much smaller scale.

More recent research has continued to explore this idea. Some scientists have found evidence that electrical signals and sap movement within trees may show rhythms linked to lunar and solar tides. These findings suggest that trees may respond to even very small changes in our Earth’s gravitational environment!

However, scientists also agree that these effects, if they exist, are subtle. A large study published in Scientific Reports in 2023 analysed more than two million measurements from trees growing in different environments and found no evidence that the Moon directly influences tree growth or stem expansion. Instead, weather conditions such as temperature, humidity, and water availability had a much stronger effect.

In other words, the Moon may influence some natural rhythms within trees, but sunlight, rainfall, healthy soil, and climate remain the main drivers of tree growth.

The Moon as Nature’s Timekeeper

Even if the Moon’s direct effect on tree growth is still being studied, the Moon clearly acts as a natural clock for many living things.

Many animals use the lunar cycle to guide their behaviour. Sea turtles often hatch on moonlit nights, many corals release their eggs and sperm during particular lunar phases, and some insects, fish, and birds time important parts of their life cycles with the Moon.

Healthy forests depend on these natural relationships. For example, birds spread seeds, insects pollinate flowers, and animals help forests regenerate. The Moon therefore supports forests not only through possible effects on trees themselves, but also by helping to maintain the balance of entire ecosystems.

The full moon rising over the Black Forest in Germany.

A Reminder of Our Connection with Nature

The Moon reminds us that Mother Nature works through relationships rather than isolated events. Oceans, forests, wildlife, and we as people are all connected by natural cycles that have existed for millions of years.

Trees grow slowly, often taking decades before they reach their full size. Like the changing phases of the Moon, their growth teaches us patience. Every tree that we plant today, will become part of a much larger story; providing clean air, storing carbon, protecting wildlife, and creating healthier communities for future generations!

Moon Fun Facts & One-Liners (according to NASA):

• Shrinking/Drifting Away: The Moon is slowly drifting away from Earth, getting about 1.5 inches (3.8 centimeters) farther away each year
• No “Dark Side”: NASA claims that the Moon rotates at the same rate it orbits Earth (synchronous rotation), meaning we only ever see the same side. The far side gets just as much sunlight, just as the “day side” does
• Quiet Space: The Moon has a very thin exosphere (not breathable air). Because sound waves need a medium like air to travel, the Moon is completely silent
• The “Fifth” Planet: Our Moon is larger than Pluto and is proportionally the largest moon relative to its host planet in our solar system
• Cheesy Fact: Did you know that the moon is entirely made of Swiss cheese? – This is, of course, just a joke!!

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References:
https://science.nasa.gov/moon/facts/
https://www.nature.com/articles/33570
https://epub.ub.uni-greifswald.de/frontdoor/deliver/index/docId/11301/file/s41598-023-47013-y.pdf
https://justtides.co.uk/articles/how-do-tides-affect-marine-life-and-ecosystems
https://www.un.org/en/observances/moon-day
https://science.nasa.gov/moon/tidal-locking/

Image references:
Title Image
Moon over ocean