In Muskoka, and probably elsewhere too, special trees have spring up in the last few years. From a distance they look like extremely tall healthy conifers. The truth is that they are camouflaged communication towers.
In the spring of 2014 a company in France introduced a tree that generates wind power. 36 feet tall and 26 feet in diameter, they have 72 artificial leaves. Each leaf is a small turbine that rotates in a vertical position. Since the turbines are quite light, they will spin even in a gentle breeze. Each "tree" can generate 3.1 kilowatts of power which seems small until you consider that they will be working most days when the larger fan-type turbines are often not working when there is insufficient wind.
Although each Wind Tree costs about US$36,500, the supporters of the project claim that they will pay for themselves within a couple years. The trees, which are both quiet and sculptural will be placed in urban areas, possibly among other trees.
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