Near Trostyanets in the Sumy region, visitors to the dendrological park can marvel at the “13 sisters”—a group of linden trees that all grow from a single root. These “sisters” are around 100 years old, with each trunk reaching about 20 inches in diameter.
Even more astonishing, scientists discovered a remarkable family of trees in the Tian Shan mountains. In one of the gorges, they noticed a thicket of wild apple trees, all bearing remarkably similar fruits in taste, color, and appearance. It turned out that this entire orchard—about 600 trees—sprang from one root!
Could cultivated trees also grow from a single root? This question sparked the curiosity of researchers, leading them to experiment. They started with grapes, planting them on a hilly terrace. From each lower bush, the vine was trained upward. Here, buried under the soil, it took root—creating a second bush, and from that, a third on the higher terrace, and so on. The bushes on the first terrace act like pumping stations, supplying moisture to their “brothers” growing on the upper terraces. If any root reaches the water table, it can provide hydration for all the plants.
This planting method eliminates the need for watering and fertilizing each row individually. It allows for significant savings on water and fertilizers, reducing the cost of vineyard maintenance.
This “wonder of nature” has inspired horticulturists to embark on intriguing and promising experiments.