A Dyson tree is a hypothetical
genetically engineeredplant (perhaps resembling a tree) capable of growing inside a
comet, suggested by the physicist
Freeman Dyson.[1][2][3] Plants may be able to produce a breathable atmosphere within the hollow spaces of the comet (or maybe even within the plants themselves), utilising solar energy for photosynthesis and
cometary materials for nutrients, thus providing
self-sustaininghabitats for humanity in the outer solar system analogous to a greenhouse in space, a shell grown by a
mollusc or the actions of
thermogenic plants, such as the
skunk cabbage or the
voodoo lily.[4]
A Dyson tree might consist of a few main trunk structures growing out from a comet nucleus, branching into limbs and foliage that intertwine, forming a spherical structure possibly dozens of kilometers across.
Dyson trees in science fiction
Dyson trees are mentioned a number of times in
science fiction, beginning in the 1980s:
One of the first adoptions of the trope is
Rachel Pollack's Tree House (1984).[5]
The concept is discussed in
Carl Sagan and
Ann Druyan's 1985 non-fiction book Comet, and several paintings of Dyson trees around Saturn and in interstellar space are provided in the book by
Jon Lomberg.[6]
Under the name of "Space Poplars", Dyson trees are described in
Donald Moffitt's two science fiction novels, The Genesis Quest and Second Genesis. Here they are used as both habitats and spacecraft, propelled by reflective outer leaves used as organic
solar sails.[8][9]
In the Orion's Armshared universe (established 2000), Dyson trees and Dyson tree "forests" are called orwoods; these have been established in a number of star systems throughout terragen space.[11][12] The word "Orwood" in this context was originally coined by
Anders Sandberg.[13][failed verification]
In the Tenchi Muyo OVA series, the
Jurai utilize trees that can live in space as ships, and in the temple of the goddess-like character
Tokimi, a giant tree whose roots encompass a planet can be seen.[15]
In The Dirty Pair series, the episode "Run From the Future" is set on the Nimkasi habitat, an outlaw habitat that is a Dyson tree.[16]
The video game Eufloria is based on the Dyson tree concept.[17]
^Drashner, Todd; Sandberg, Anders; Kazlev, M. Alan (20 November 2001).
"Dyson Trees". Orion's Arm - Encyclopedia Galactica. Archived from
the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
^Kazlev, M. Alan (17 December 2001).
"Orwoods". Orion's Arm - Encyclopedia Galactica. Archived from
the original on 9 December 2022. Retrieved 15 June 2023.