The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate--Discoveries from a Secret World

by Peter Wohlleben

Book Overview

A NEW YORK TIMES, WASHINGTON POST, AND WALL STREET JOURNAL BESTSELLER - One of the most beloved books of our time: an illuminating account of the forest, and the science that shows us how trees communicate, feel, and live in social networks. After reading this book, a walk in the woods will never be the same again.

"Breaks entirely new ground ... Peter Wohlleben] has listened to trees and decoded their language. Now he speaks for them."--The New York Review of Books

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY BRAINPICKINGS - HONORABLE MENTION: SEJ Rachel Carson Environment Book Award - Shortlisted: Audible International Book of the Year Award - Books For a Better Life Award - Indie Choice Award--Nonfiction Book of the Year

Are trees social beings? In The Hidden Life of Trees forester and author Peter Wohlleben convincingly makes the case that, yes, the forest is a social network. He draws on groundbreaking scientific discoveries to describe how trees are like human families: tree parents live together with their children, communicate with them, support them as they grow, share nutrients with those who are sick or struggling, and even warn each other of impending dangers. Wohlleben also shares his deep love of woods and forests, explaining the amazing processes of life, death, and regeneration that he has observed in his woodland.

"A declaration of love and an engrossing primer on trees, brimming with facts and an unashamed awe for nature."--Washington Post

"Heavily dusted with the glitter of wonderment."--The New Yorker

Includes a Note From a Forest Scientist by Dr.Suzanne Simard

Published in Partnership with the David Suzuki Institute

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1771642483
• ISBN13: 9781771642484
• Release Date: September 2016
• Publisher: Greystone Books
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.94 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.3" x 7.6"

Customer Reviews

A Must Read

Such an interesting book, very complex topics written simply and easy to comprehend

Get to the root of tree's collective consciousness by picking this book up!

This is a book that's easy to read with children and adults alike, as if you are on a nature walk, with the author as a guide to the wonderful world of the trees. Peter Wohlleben has shared his observations, deductions and conclusions with those of us not privileged enough to experience these conversations with the trees first hand. I highly recommend reading this book to understand how trees and their ancient collective consciousness is explored. Some tree colonies communicate via their root systems to help fend off attacks from pests for example. Peter tells us that not all trees communicate with each other, only those from the same lineage, in the same area, are privy to such communication that helps the parents communicate with their children about weather and insect attacks. Such tree colonies have collective intelligence that is thousands of years old, which reminds me of the movie Avatar where they have the connected old willow trees or the Tree of Souls that has the closest connection to Eywa on Pandora. This part helped me visualize how nature is truly wondrous and we humans have so much to learn!

Amazing

This book is amazing. I will never look at a tree the same again.