Scientists Discover Traces of Gold Growing on Tree Leaves in Remarkable Natural Phenomenon

In a remarkable scientific discovery, researchers have found that certain trees can literally grow gold — not in visible nuggets, but in the form of microscopic particles hidden within their leaves. A study conducted by scientists at the University of Oulu and the Geological Survey of Finland revealed that bacteria living inside Norway spruce needles can convert dissolved gold in the soil into solid nanoparticles.

The research team collected and analyzed 138 needle samples from 23 Norway spruce trees growing near the Kittilä gold mine in Finland, one of Europe’s largest gold-producing regions. To their surprise, gold nanoparticles were detected in four of the trees. These particles were found embedded in bacterial biofilms, suggesting that microorganisms play an active role in transforming liquid gold compounds into solid metallic forms.

For years, scientists have known that trace metals such as gold can move through soil and water as ions released from mineral deposits. Plants can absorb these ions through their root systems, a process that is often supported by symbiotic microbes. These microbes help plants survive in mineral-rich or otherwise harsh environments by aiding in biomineralization — the natural process through which minerals form within living tissues.

This study offers the first clear evidence that such biomineralization can result in gold forming directly inside plant tissues. According to lead researcher Dr. Kaisa Lehosmaa from the University of Oulu, the discovery reveals how gold travels through plants and solidifies in nanosized form within spruce needles. She explained that gold, which exists in the soil as a soluble ion, is carried upward by water into the tree’s vascular system. Once inside the needles, microbial activity converts it back into a solid metallic state.

The gold particles discovered are extremely small — just a few nanometres across, or about a millionth of a millimetre — far too tiny for commercial extraction. However, their presence has enormous scientific and practical value. This discovery could revolutionize how geologists search for gold deposits, offering an environmentally friendly method to detect underground mineral reserves through plant analysis rather than invasive drilling.

Dr. Lehosmaa noted that identifying similar bacteria in other plant species could pave the way for developing biological gold exploration techniques. These methods could allow scientists to map mineral-rich regions more efficiently and sustainably, reducing the environmental footprint of traditional mining exploration.

While the idea of trees that grow gold might sound like something out of folklore, this breakthrough demonstrates how deeply interconnected life and the Earth’s geology truly are — and how even the smallest microbes can hold the key to major scientific discoveries.