Monday, March 14, 2011

A nonprofit organization is rushing to clone some of the world's biggest and oldest trees in an audacious plan to restore forests that could help cleanse the environment and fight climate change.

The Archangel Ancient Tree Archive is based in Copemish, Mich. The group has tracked down and made genetic copies of "champion" members of more than 60 species.

Among them are redwoods and giant sequoias from California's northern coast and oaks up to 1,000 years old from Ireland.

Co-founder David Milarch says the group is focusing on 200 species that perform ecologically valuable jobs such as absorbing toxic chemicals and storing carbon dioxide, the greenhouse gas responsible for global warming.

Archangel hopes to sell millions of its trees for replanting in cities and rural areas.