The Hidden Life of Trees

Lesson 1. Companionship.

Trees are just like human beings. They can get competitive with one another in complex ways and can build foundations for friendship, at the same time. A tree alone cannot establish a local climate on its own, whereas multiple trees can create an ecosystem. Trees are as social as human beings. The interacting organisms and their physical environment together establish a biological environment which is known as an ecosystem. The contribution of trees in our ecosystem is undeniable. They provide oxygen, improve the quality of air, preserve soil and support wildlife.

Wohlleben asserts that forests are super-organisms with interconnections just like the ant colonies. Trees connect with one another through their root systems. Trees of the same species, growing on the same ground, are interconnected via their roots.  The process of nutrient exchange takes place in their interconnected root systems. This scenario of exchange might look like a big chain of social networks where it is just an accidental exchange. Nonetheless, in a study it was revealed that trees actually have the ability to distinguish their own roots from the roots of other species and even from those of the related species. Each and every tree is thereby important and necessary to the community, but with different elevations of membership.

Unlike human society, the idea of “class” doesn’t quite fit in this community. A degree of attachment or, to be precise, affection determines how helpful trees are going to be with each other. The book states that the average tree can grow its branches out until it is encountered by the branches of a neighboring tree of the same height and it does not grow any wider because the space, air and better light are already taken. It only serves to prove that trees are true friends to one another since they don’t want to infringe upon each others’ space.

Lesson 2. Communication.

As human perception cannot go beyond the realm of human language, human beings are incapable of understanding that trees and plants too can communicate in their own way. 

Trees certainly do not produce any sounds. The rustling of the leaves or the creaking of branches as they rub against one another, are caused by wind. So how do they communicate? As it turns out, trees have an entirely different process for communicating, that is through scent. 

Wohlleben gives an example to support this statement. About four decades ago, something on the African Savannah was noticed by the scientists. Umbrella thorn acacia were being eaten by the giraffes. In response, the acacias released toxic substances through their leaves to get rid of these