The 'new type of wood' that could help in the fight against climate change

Trees are known to play a really important role when it comes to looking after the environment.

These awesome plants are able to absorb carbon dioxide which is a greenhouse gas and a big contributor to global warming.

Now scientists say that they have found a new type of wood that could help capture and store carbon more effectively.

By absorbing carbon dioxide, trees can reduce pollution, improve air quality and slow down the effects of climate change.

What did scientists find?

An international team of scientists from Cambridge University in the UK and Jagiellonian University in Poland looked at a number of different types of tree under a microscope.

They found that tulip trees - which can grow well over 30 metres tall - have a special type of wood.

Usually, trees fit into one of two categories: hardwood or softwood.

What makes tulip trees different is that it's made up of a type of wood in between - something that they haven't seen before!

Experts say that this could help explain why they are so good at storing carbon.

Dr Jan Łyczakowski from the Jagiellonian University, who was behind the study, said that their finding could benefit the environment.

He explained: "Tulip trees may end up being useful for carbon capture plantations," and added that in south-east Asian countries tulip trees were already been used to "lock in carbon".