The golden glow of street lights could soon be replaced by the green fluorescence of tree leaves. Scientists have implanted glowing, sea urchin shaped gold nanoparticles, known as bio light emitting diodes, or bio LEDs, inside the leaves of a plant.

Do street lights affect trees?

Trees and streetlights are usually fine together if the tree's other needs are well met, if they get adequate water, and good soil with plenty of nutrients. The harm a streetlight causes to a tree, keeping some leaves green too long, can cause small amounts of cumulative harm over time.

Do bioluminescent trees exist?

Roads of the future could be lit by glowing trees instead of streetlamps, thanks to a breakthrough in creating bioluminescent plants. Experts injected specialised nanoparticles into the leaves of a watercress plant, which caused it to give off a dim light for nearly four hours.