HOUSTON, July 28 (UPI) -- Scientists studying the DNA of a tree overrunning thousands of acres of coastal U.S. prairie have cleared Ben Franklin of any responsibility for the invasion.
Biologists from Rice University say genetic tests on more than 1,000 Chinese tallow trees prove the famed U.S. statesman did not import the tallow trees that are currently taking over thousands of acres from Florida to East Texas, a Rice release said Thursday.