800,000 acres of Yellowstone was destroyed in the 1988 fires. That’s 1/3 of the park — burnt in the span of three months.
Many feared the park was destroyed. A national treasure turned memory. But 30 years later, the park is thriving.
How?
Serotinous pine cones. As it turns out serotiny is an evolutionary trait of some seed plants, where they release their seeds in response to enviornmental triggers.
These are plants whose seeds will open up when something in the environment changes – not due to seasonality or other common triggers.
Pine cones require heat of 110 degrees or more to release their seeds. And those seedlings need nutrients — which charcoal from the burnt trees provides.
As it turns out, destruction can catalyze growth – if it’s planned for. What are the serotinous elements of your company?