This just shows how ignorant the world is becoming. What will be the considerations for: fire risk, infestation (bugs or fungi), insurance policy, remodeling/add-on for family growth, water needs, soil content, use of A/C or heat, fireplaces, your house absorbing oxygen at night.....The downside is far greater than the upside.

Brad, you're comment shows how arrogant and ridiculous you are. Do you really think you're the only person who has thought of the concerns you brought up? Do you really think you're so much smarter than the people who are actually working on this stuff?

The fact is, you don't know what you're talking about so you're really in no position to judge whether or not the downsides are greater than the upsides.

I totally agree with dontbother. People have already brought these concerns to the table and are going to work trying to fix them. I think this is a cool idea and if it works out great and if it doesn't work out, oh well. If humans can't live in them then see if they can do a fenced dog pen. That would free up some metal for the human race and possibly make products cheaper for a little while.

As far as the Infestation problems go, they could probably use genetic modification to make the trees produce some kind of pesticide harmless to humans, still the problems of running water and electricity, though that probably would be easily remedied. Soon we may be living like the elves in eldest....

Wow brad, cant even respond to you! Your comment made me laugh the whole way through!!! Is this now the era of people becoming 'affraid' of nature because they have been stuck in a city too long? Maybe for your 'add-on' problem people could purchase pre-grown additions and have them replanted by their home.... Just a thought.... Your other problems aren't problems worth addressing. HAHA!

why are people getting so heated over this? The idea of using genetically modified trees as architecture is impractical, even if it is a neat and romantic idea, and you're not "against nature" for thinking so. Especially if the best they're coming up with is using them for playgrounds and benches.... kids can play in non-genetically modified trees, and people can sit on stumps or old logs, which would be much cheaper and more eco-friendly, and a much better way to promote "natural" living (quicker, too).

It is unlikely that these trees would ever work as anything more than a novelty and art for the general public, and there is nothing wrong with that so calm down.

black_canary we value your opinion, and I'm glad it stays as such. To assume that this will be nothing more than a novelty or art form is quite a large generalization. There are too many people in this world to think nobody will want this for more use than a bench. If you re-read the article, you'll gain the knowledge that Universities and large company's are already showing interst for commercial use, yes beyond playgrounds. You think it's dumb, then I guess your not their target customer. More for us! P.s. Ever see the PopSci article on growing homes from a seed a couple years back? The idea has been around, which tells me it's not going anywhere, get over it.

Black_Canary: My issue with Brad's comment wasn't so much that he thought the idea was impractical. Personally, I feel the same way. I don't think we'll be living in trees or houses made from trees anytime soon. My problem was that his entire post was arrogant, rude, and disrespectful. It's one thing to disagree with the article, it's another thing to act like he knows what he's talking about when its obvious that he doesn't, and at the same time call everyone else ignorant.

We at Plantware are vividly aware of the difficulties that Brad has alluded to and are busy erecting and monitoring proof-of-concept and pilot projects in order to study, prioritize and solve problems that come part and parcel with new technology.

By and large, the plethora of tree species on earth have solved problems of pathogens, fire resistance, regrowth and branch shedding, structural integrity and other "problems" that could arise in adapting trees to human habitat. Trees have done this many times over in each seperate environment in which they occur. The difficult task for us - is to choose the correct species for our constructs and to ensure that it is not over represented by its human use in civil engineering.

Different species for different habitats makes sense. Trees with fire-proofing, beast. A lot of people don't know much about this topic (at least I don't) and I look forward to seeing such trees in parks and other places. It increases the chances for wildlife (especially birds and squirrels) to continue growing and makes the areas more pleasant to be in or about.