PHOTOS: Scientists Find Gold Growing In Trees In Australia

The findings, which were published this week in the online journal Nature Communications, show how biogeochemical absorption of gold is possible. This, according to the researchers, could lead to new and more successful prospecting methods.

Now before you grab your passport and ax, the paper found an average gold concentration of 80 parts per billion in tree’s leaves, and a mere 4 parts per billion in bark (though bark does cover a larger surface area). Unfortunately, this means the gold isn’t visible to the naked eye.

So the next time someone tells you money doesn’t grow on trees, well, you know what to say...