Trees Near Cell Phone Towers Show Severe Damage. What’s Happening?

Recent studies have revealed potential negative effects of radiofrequency radiation from cell phone towers on trees. One particular study conducted from 2006 to 2015 in Germany, showed that trees near cell phone towers were exposed to radiation that resulted in significant damage. Notably, the damage often started on the sides of the trees that were facing the towers and then extended to the rest of the tree over time. But, why did they study trees and what do the results of the study indicate to researchers? 

Studying Trees Near Cell Phone Towers

When it comes to studying radiation, trees offer several advantages over animals. For one, because they don’t move, trees are constantly exposed to radiation in the exact same orientation relative to the source. It’s also easier to observe and document the gradual changes that occur to the trees over time, such as leaves changing color early, or branches dying. The damage to the trees is also objectively observable and therefore can’t be attributed to psychosomatic factors (as could be the case with human subjects). The researchers studied trees that had been exposed to radiation for more than 5 years. They took measurements of both sides of the trees that had been exposed to the radiation. They found that the values were considerably higher on the sides facing the towers. 

Over the last 20 years years, cell phone towers have increasingly pooped up all over the landscape. While studies as far back as 2006 pointed to potential negative effects, these early warnings were largely ignored and very little thought was put into their potential environmental impact. One study indicated that the degree of impact depended on certain factors, such as the duration of exposure, the density or power, and even the plant’s stage of growth. This review reached the conclusion that the majority of existing studies documented radiation exposure effects at levels that were well below those specified in the radiation exposure guidelines. Therefore, it is vital that these guidelines are re-assessed.

The Results of the Study 

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The data from 65 cell phone towers was extracted for the study, each providing information on the number of antennae and their beam direction as well as their mounting height. Fied study monitoring was also carried out in Bamberg and Hallstadt in Germany. They found that leaves prematurely turned brown on the side of the trees facing the towers. While they found crown damage on all sides of the trees, the damage grew more prominent on the side facing the tower over time. They also found that the damage could not be attributed to other potential factors, such as harmful pests or diseases.

It was noted that these types of harmful organisms would affect the whole tree and not only one side. Plants are naturally designed to absorb light, which is itself a type of electromagnetic radiation. However, the effects of RF radiation on plants have yet to properly be studied. As more and more of these towers pop up in our environment, this type of radiation is becoming increasingly common.

The Bottom Line

For many years, scientists assumed that this radiation had little effect on plants and other living organisms. However, these studies conducted over the last two decades reveal that there are notable issues even at levels well below the stipulated guidelines. It seems crucial that more research is done to find out what effect this radiation has on trees and humans alike. Ignoring these warning signs may result in long-term consequences that we are totally unprepared for. However, as worrying as these findings may appear, more studies involving larger sample sizes from around the globe would need to be carried out to confirm these results. Until that occurs, there may still be other factors driving these results that have not been considered yet.