Nature - Summer Solstice 2025
Here we are at the opposite end of the solar calendar from the winter solstice. The summer solstice is the point at which the Earth’s pole is most fully tilted toward the Sun, resulting in the longest day and shortest night of the year. Technically, it marks the beginning of summer.
I’ve been noticing examples in nature of how plants and animals take advantage of this moment. Consider how European beech trees synchronize their reproduction across vast regions of the continent. As the authors of one study note:
“What’s truly jaw-dropping is that the change in day length that the trees are able to detect is really small — we are talking about a few minutes over a week. Apparently, trees are able to recognise the difference.”
This is only jaw-dropping if you don’t already understand that plants are sentient…!
I haven’t come across similarly dramatic trigger responses in animals, but it seems likely that many species adjust their sleep cycles to make use of longer days — particularly to feed, mate, or raise their young while resources are abundant.
Personally, I have mixed feelings about the summer solstice. I do enjoy the warmth and extended sunlight, but I’m always aware that from this point forward, the days begin to shorten.
In the Northern Hemisphere this year, the summer solstice occurred on June 20th. We just happened to be visiting family in Paciano, Italy, so here’s another photograph from our time there.
