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How Trees Bend the Laws of Physics

Veritasium · explainer · Watch on YouTube

Everyday physics & science demosAnimals & natureFundamental physics

What it is

Veritasium explains how trees lift water from roots to the top of tall trunks, using transpiration pull and the negative pressure that liquid water can sustain. It explains why trees do not need pumps or valves.

Why Hacker News recommends it

HN commenters recommend it as one of Veritasium's best videos and one that has aged well.

  • 4 people recommended it
  • 4 different months
  • 3 strong recommendations
  • first 2013, last 2026

What HN commenters said

  1. “Just recently watched a Veritasium video on how trees get water from the roots to the top of the tree, and it's pretty awesome”

    How trees move water from roots to the top.

    linsomniac, 2019-07 · Strong recommendation · in “Water transport system inspired by trees”

  2. “It's an old video, more than ten years ago, but it aged well IMHO.”

    Old video that aged well and rewards rewatching.

    _nalply, 2023-11 · Strong recommendation · in “In a surprising finding, light can make water evaporate without heat”

  3. “I recommend watching, I think it's one of the best veritasium Dereck has ever produced.”

    Explains tree water transport via negative pressure, not valves.

    bnegreve, 2026-07 · Strong recommendation · in “Giant trees have no trouble pumping water to top branches”

  4. “The secret sauce is that in a liquid rather than a gas, you can have a negative pressure.”

    Explains how trees pull water up with negative pressure.

    vacri, 2013-01 · Recommendation · in “Why trees can't grow taller than around 100 metres”

Excerpts from Hacker News comments, linked to the originals. Summaries and labels were written by a language model from those comments.

Topics: transpiration, negative pressure, trees, water transport, physics

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