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The Hidden Life of Trees
The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate--Discoveries from a Secret World | Peter Wohlleben
In The Hidden Life of Trees, Peter Wohlleben shares his deep love of woods and forests and explains the amazing processes of life, death, and regeneration he has observed in the woodland and the amazing scientific processes behind the wonders of which we are blissfully unaware. Much like human families, tree parents live together with their children, communicate with them, and support them as they grow, sharing nutrients with those who are sick or struggling and creating an ecosystem that mitigates the impact of extremes of heat and cold for the whole group. As a result of such interactions, trees in a family or community are protected and can live to be very old. In contrast, solitary trees, like street kids, have a tough time of it and in most cases die much earlier than those in a group. Drawing on groundbreaking new discoveries, Wohlleben presents the science behind the secret and previously unknown life of trees and their communication abilities; he describes how these discoveries have informed his own practices in the forest around him. As he says, a happy forest is a healthy forest, and he believes that eco-friendly practices not only are economically sustainable but also benefit the health of our planet and the mental and physical health of all who live on Earth.
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Balibee146
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Next up on #kindle

I've read so much non fiction so far this year which is very unlike me!

TEArificbooks Me too. I have always had a goal of 12 nonfiction books a year but this year the only books I have bought so far are nonfiction 1mo
Fr3NcHtOaSt This book was great. Got me through covid back in November 1mo
Balibee146 @Fr3NcHtOaSt im really loving it... Got it on Kindle Unlimited but one I may buy a paper copy of. Glad it helped when you were ill. 1mo
kelmardino I loved this book! 💜 4w
Balibee146 @kelmardino agree it was so captivating 4w
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review
Robotswithpersonality
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Mehso-so

I can admire the author's passion and intention, but I think the marketing and the ultimate goal differ. While there are chapters discussing a variety of tree functions internally and those seemingly in cooperation via fungal networks with the trees around them, there is also the pleasant regular acknowledgement of where gaps in science's knowledge remains, and from there emotional extrapolation on the author's part about tree feelings. 1/?

Robotswithpersonality 2/3 The majority of the book seems to be about forests: how they work, why it's so important not to mess with them as the lumber industry does, why natural microclimates and ecosystems created by unmanaged forests benefit trees and people too. A worthy goal, but despite the short chapters, the subject matter could get dry and repetitive. 3mo
Robotswithpersonality 3/3 I was flipping through the 'illustrated' (many beautiful full colour photographs) edition in tandem, which has adapted, abbreviated text - so not a direct map onto the other book, and coffee table size so a strain on the wrists - but I think the two together make the most compelling argument. 3mo
Robotswithpersonality P.S. The scientist whose work the author references several times in the book, and the one who wrote the Note From A Forest Scientist at the end of the book, happens to be from my province in Canada. Will definitely be checking out her book 'Finding the Mother Tree' soon! 3mo
SamAnne I worked in forest conservation and I didn‘t love love love this one like others did. I enjoyed Finding the Mother Tree more. And the novel The Overstory more! BTW one of the main characters in that novel must be based on Suzanne Simard. She is friends with the author Richard Powers. 3mo
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Robotswithpersonality
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Who COUNTS these things?
...This is one of those situations my high school math teacher of decades past would tell me there's a formula for, isn't it? 😑

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Robotswithpersonality
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Evidently it's not just the leaf canopy casting SHADE! 😯

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Robotswithpersonality
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Officially a fan of fungi. 👏🏻

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Robotswithpersonality
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Mushrooms just want the trees to get along. 🍄🥹

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TheSpineView
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tpixie My sister just read this for Bookclub. It sounds very interesting! I‘m now reading an interesting? Memoir 4mo
Eggs Lovely 🌳🌳 4mo
Fr3NcHtOaSt I just read this. Loved it. 4mo
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Fr3NcHtOaSt
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This is so interesting to read about trees and how they exist, their feelings, their way of communicating. It‘s just so fascinating. Any science book about trees/plants and I‘m hooked.

#TheHiddenLifeofTrees #PeterWohlleben #ebook #kindle

wanderinglynn I agree. I thought this was a fascinating look at trees. 5mo
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REPollock
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Mehso-so

Engaging and informative book by a German forestry specialist. It struck me as a book very clearly translated into English—some of the language felt like similes/metaphors literally translated.

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Afua
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Pickpick

Trees are hands down some of my favourite things in the world. Learning so much more about them makes me feel even more strongly about how much they should be revered and protected.

If anyone knows any books about trees on the continent, hook me up!🤎

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Jenken1998
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Pickpick

Nonfiction environmental philosophy book about trees. A look at how they are connected, supportive and misunderstood. I enjoyed this on audio. It was relaxing. Like a walk in the woods. Even with some of the science terms that were over my head. Hard to rate this but for the bits of knowledge and the relaxation it provided I would say 3.5 stars.

IuliaC I loved this one! 11mo
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Johanna414
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Pickpick

I felt like some of the science went over my head, but what I did understand was fascinating!

IuliaC Great book! 13mo
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janeycanuck
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Pickpick

My last finish of 2022 - and this was fascinating! I annoyed my SO often with my newly discovered interesting facts about trees. They really do have a hidden life!!

Jess861 This book looks so interesting! 1y
janeycanuck @Jess861 oh my goodness, it really is!! I will definitely be rereading it. 1y
IuliaC I loved this one! 1y
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KathyWheeler
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Tonight‘s reading until I get sleepy.

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janeycanuck
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The stacks for my #DecemberTBR & #WinterReadathon!

The left are book box books that have arrived recently. The middle is all my #pemberlittens reading that I‘m behind on (with the exception of the Heiress) so that stack is my goal for the Winter Readathon - I solemnly vow to catch up on #janeandtheexcellentreadalong! The right is some leftovers and a few books as I continue my quest to #ReadMyOwnDamnBooks.

Gonna be a busy month!

DieAReader Looks great! Good luck📚🤓♥️ 1y
Andrew65 Some great choices, enjoy. 🎅🎅🎅 1y
38 likes2 comments
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Creadnorthey
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Pickpick

Just a beautiful and uplifting non-fiction piece. The audiobook is as soothing and crisp as a walking underneath the canopy of a lush old growth forest. 5🌲🌲🌳🌳🌳

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ChelsAH10
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This is a book that within the first three chapters, I felt as though my perspective on something I took for granted completely shifted. An absolute must read and the perfect reminder to slow down and look around. 🌳♥️

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Floresj
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Pickpick

This book contains quite a few really interesting things/systems that trees do and have in order for forests to survive. The chapters are short and readable. My only complaint is that I‘d like an advice chapter on how to create a community of trees in your without needing an old growth forest. Informative, with a twinge on condescension randomly.

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wanderinglynn
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Pickpick

Peter has put into words the exact feelings I feel when walking through a forest. The strong environmental message seeks to instill a sense of value & wonder for the world around us. That the earth is full of community, and not just human community.

That being said, I found the writing a little dense at times (maybe due to the translation), the short chapters a bit distracting, & the organization a bit off.

Overall I enjoyed it.

wanderinglynn #roaringolf “Gold” (white cover even though it doesn‘t quite look like it in my photo) @Roary47 @Littlewolf1 2y
Roary47 Yay! Great job! 💛 2y
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wanderinglynn
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#weekendreading

All NF!

Tagged is my library book, which I think is overdue. 🤦🏼‍♀️

Alchemy (audiobook) I have a little less than 3 hrs to go. Although I wish I had this one in physical form because I‘d be taking notes in it.

Daring Greatly is my #bookspin that I will start as soon as I finish the tagged.

#joyousjanuary update

Andrew65 Happy Reading 2y
squirrelbrain Glad you‘re enjoying Alchemy. I saw the author speak at a (virtual) conference a few months ago and immediately bought his book. Just haven‘t read it yet…. 😁 2y
wanderinglynn @squirrelbrain it‘s quite fascinating. 2y
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wanderinglynn
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#thoughtfulthursday

📚 my GR goal is 104 (2 books/week) & then my biggest goal/challenge is my reducing by TBR bookcase (more about that here: http://wanderinglynn.com/2022/01/02/a-year-of-books-100-books-in-2022/)

📔 progression (n) the act of changing to the next stage of development

📖 tagged 🌳🌲🌴

Thanks for the tag Danielle!

Have you played? @TheSpineView @Eggs

Eggs Yes I have but thanks for thinking of me 🥰 2y
wanderinglynn @Eggs 👍🏻💜 2y
Enchanted_Bibliophile Read your blog and now I want to do the same exercise in splitting my bookcases in to read and TBR. Because I think I'll also have cases not piles 😅 2y
wanderinglynn @Enchanted_Bibliophile the struggle is real. 😉😆 2y
TheSpineView Thanks for the tag! 😊 2y
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wanderinglynn
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#NewYearSpecial #20in4

Well I totally missed day 1 because I thought it started tomorrow (31st) & was running around doing other things today 🤦🏼‍♀️ 😆

My goals are to finish my library book (tagged) & finish at least my Dec #bookspin.

Andrew65 Can always extend it by a day. Very relaxed Readathon. 2y
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kspenmoll
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#wishesandblessings #tree

Sunrise this morning.

Eggs Breathtaking 🌞 2y
Librarybelle So lovely! ❤️ 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Beautiful!! 😍 2y
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wanderinglynn
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#two4tuesday

1. The lights, the smell of evergreens, and Hallmark Christmas movies

2. 🤷🏼‍♀️ I don‘t have a set TBR for December. I just checked out the tagged from the library. And I aim to read at least 5 books this month to get to 150 for the year.

Thanks for the tag Lisa!

Have you played? @damselsgotballs @Allylu @Yuki_Onna @Leftcoastzen

damselsgotballs Thanks for the tag!♥️ 2y
TheSpineView I too love that pine smell! Thanks for playing! ❤🎄🎶💚 2y
52 likes2 comments
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Singout
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this book, although I admit it was my falling-asleep book so there were bits I didn‘t catch. The author does a great job of describing the lives and interconnection of individual trees, forests, ecosystems, and the Earth. I was particularly intrigued by the sections on how trees connect with each other and other beings, and on how human choices regarding trees and forestry have had an impact on the Earth.
#Nonfiction2021 #Nature

Riveted_Reader_Melissa I enjoyed this one too! 2y
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Sha0102
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Pickpick
IuliaC I loved this one too and yes, I do look at trees differently now! ❤ 3y
Sha0102 😊 2y
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Veenie
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Pickpick

This is a great read for just about anyone. It is written in an engaging and approachable way that references scientific work without immediately bogging down in details that can slow the flow. I now look at forests and trees in a different way and want to read more that would be specific to N American forests as the writer references work in European forests. A film based on the book is coming out soon.

PhyllisH I loved this book! I‘m glad to hear a film will be coming soon. 3y
Nute I am so thankful for trees. I can‘t wait to read this book!🌳🌲🌴💚🙂 3y
11 likes2 comments
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mjtwo
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Pickpick

11-16 June 2021 (audiobook)
Interesting ideas, compellingly told. Wohllebon has a background in forestry but advocates for old growth forests and for reconsidering trees as social beings. Whilst his writing does anthropomorphise trees, he cites scientific research to support his views. It also causes one to question the plant/animal divide. If nothing else, this will lead the reader to rethink the wonder of a walk through the forest.

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kaleidoscope.reader
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My husband built this reading table for me. I love connecting nature and art. Trees are emotional and communicate just as humans do♥️

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IuliaC
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Pickpick

The book “The Intention Experiment“ discussed about plants manifesting fear and communicating, but the fabulous work of German forester Peter Wohlleben sheds a new light on plants. Trees are social beings, they share food with their fellows, help each other survive, develop friendships, learn and share experiences, communicate in ways which, once fully understood, will revolutionize and hopefully alter for the better our relationship with plants.

jewright Is the book in Italian? 3y
jewright Is the book in Italian? 3y
IuliaC @jewright It's in Romanian, quite similar to Italian 😊 3y
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IuliaC
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Trees communicate with us ? (book version for kids in the picture; equally captivating as the one for adults)

"Whether we can somehow listen in on tree talk is a subject that was recently addressed in the specialized literature. ... Personally, however, I think the swirling cocktail of tree talk is the reason we enjoy being out in the forest so much. At least when we are out in undisturbed forests." ⤵️

IuliaC "Walkers who visit one of the ancient deciduous preserves in the forest I manage always report that their heart feels lighter and they feel right at home. Possibly it's because in ancient beech forests, fewer "alarm calls" go out, and therefore, most messages exchanged between trees are contented ones, and these messages reach our brains as well, via our noses. I am convinced that we intuitively register the forest's health." ⤵️ 3y
IuliaC "Thanks to selective breeding, our cultivated plants have, for the most part, lost their ability to communicate above or below ground—you could say they are deaf and dumb—and therefore they are easy prey for insect pests. That is one reason why modern agriculture uses so many pesticides. Perhaps farmers can learn from the forests and breed a little more wildness back into their grain and potatoes so that they‘ll be more talkative in the future." 3y
IuliaC @Milara e posibil sa aiba ceva sens; acum daca as corobora informatia asta cu cea din cartea despre respiratie, s-ar putea ca in functie de cantitatea de oxigen-dioxid de carbon cu care lucreaza o anumita specie de copac, sa fie benefic sau nu unei anumite persoane, in functie de cat de corect sau sanatos respira omul acela. Am inteles ca CO2 e la fel de vital ca si oxigenul pentru om 3y
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IuliaC @Milara exact! In parc mult prea putin probabil, poate putin in vreo padure deasa cu specii mai speciale de plante, cum ai spus si tu tropicale, cu care poate o persoana mai sensibila nu e deloc obisnuita si manifesta un fel de alergie. Apropo de asta, autorul spunea ca padurea de conifere e foarte benefica persoanelor cu alergii respiratorii, pentru ca diminueaza mult germenii din aer 3y
IuliaC @Milara acum parcurg articolul 👍 3y
IuliaC @Milara am citit articolul, intr-adevar pare putin deplasata ideea ca unii copaci afecteaza negativ. In cartea asta am gasit doar ideea ca in general studiile au aratat ca oamenii nu resimt nimic deosebit la nivel de stare fizica si psihica dupa ce petrec timp in padurile plantate, din cauza ca "reteaua" copacilor este deficitara, copacii nereusind sa comunice intre ei pentru ca radacinile le sunt afectate la plantare 3y
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IuliaC
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Absolutely engrossing book! It's spring here and I just couldn't stop taking photos after I discovered trees devise blossoming strategies when they come out of hibernation, for which they store food reserves and nutrients.

"It seems the trees can count! They wait until a certain number of warm days have passed, and only then do they trust that all is well and classify the warm phase as spring. But warm days alone do not mean spring has arrived."

beeweird "But warm days alone do not mean spring has arrived." Here in the Midwest, I totally understand the trees' trepidation! ?? 3y
IuliaC @beeweird I've noticed that too, particularly in the beginning of spring when there are heat waves followed by colder or even snowy days before warmer weather stabilizes 3y
beeweird @luliaC we call it "Fool's Spring" and "Spring of Deception" ? 3y
IuliaC @beeweird Perfect names for this! 👍 We also say that winter strips off her last coats 😁 3y
beeweird Oh, I like that a lot! 😊❄ 3y
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IuliaC
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The wood wide web has been mapped, traced, monitored, and coaxed to reveal the beautiful structures and finely adapted languages of the forest network. ... mother trees recognize and talk with their kin, shaping future generations. In addition, injured trees pass their legacies on to their neighbors, affecting gene regulation, defense chemistry, and resilience in the forest community. ...members of a connected, relating, communicating system.

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IuliaC
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"That means it is okay to use wood as long as trees are allowed to live in a way that is appropriate to their species. And that means that they should be allowed to fulfill their social needs, to grow in a true forest environment on undisturbed ground, and to pass their knowledge on to the next generation. And at least some of them should be allowed to grow old with dignity and finally die a natural death."

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Cazxxx
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This line made me think of how it is to live with chronic illnesses 🌳

CuriousG What a true statement - this perfectly describes what my husband has to do because of his brain injury 💙 3y
Cazxxx @CuriousG I can relate 💚 3y
Tera66 I feel this, also living with a chronic illness. We can't do everything we want, gotta rest when your body needs it. 💚💚💚 3y
Cazxxx @Tera66 yea that is absolutely true, rest is vital for us and we have to listen to our body 💖 3y
21 likes4 comments
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night_shift
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New pot with new plant!

Also, I'm likely not going to do/finish any of these (so bad at keeping up with challenges) but I've collected a variety of yearly challenges on my blog. I tried to find all the yearly ones from here I could, but if you don't see yours... drop a link to the original post and I'll link it!

https://unidragonfrag.wordpress.com/2021/01/14/2021-challenges/

Crazeedi I joined several challenges and buddy reads too. I'm going to do my best, but now stress about it 3y
Leftcoastzen Love that! 3y
night_shift @Leftcoastzen thanks! @Crazeedi I officially joined two (litsyatoz and booked) but yeah, I stress out about it because I often forget? Or just.. don't read things that'll fit? Lol 3y
rubyslippersreads Thanks for posting this. I‘m terrible about keeping up with challenges, but I can‘t stop joining them anyway. 😄 3y
night_shift @rubyslippersreads you're welcome! Did you find more to join? 😅 3y
55 likes5 comments
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monalyisha
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I don‘t think I‘ve ever called this book by its correct name. Not once. 😂

dgingo 😂 3y
Librariana Your intentions are good! 😊 Makes me wonder if you were thinking of 3y
monalyisha @Librariana Or The Secret Life of Pets? Who knows?! I literally had the title on the screen right in front of me. 3y
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Librariana @monalyisha SUCH a great movie!! 😁 3y
monalyisha @Librariana The sad thing is...I‘ve never even seen it! 🙈 3y
Librariana @monalyisha Alyisha!! Fix this pronto, chica! Some great voice work in there. Although I will say I wish Tiffany Haddish had voiced a character in both movies! 3y
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TheSpineView
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OriginalCyn620 💚🌳💚🌳 3y
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TheRiehlDeal
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Pickpick

This was an interesting listen on the hidden processes of trees. Never knew trees had such busy lives! After listening to this book, I will now look at a tree more differently than I would have had I not stumbled upon this.

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MilesnMelodies
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Pickpick

Perfect spot to read this book.

Nute Welcome to Litsy! It‘s a warm and friendly community. I know that you will enjoy yourself here. I‘m looking forward to getting to know you!🙂 3y
14 likes1 comment
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AnneCecilie
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Pickpick

After reading “The Overstory” earlier this year, I wanted to learn more about trees. I borrowed this from the library, but then I injured my ankle and couldn‘t walk for a while, now the ankle is good and I‘ve started walking in the woods again so the timing for reading was better.

The book look at the “dialogue” between trees, how the forest work and look after itself. I learned so much and I won‘t look at the forest in the same way again.

AnneCecilie Now I‘m ready for reading more books about trees. This book will also fill a free square on my #BookSpinBingo card @TheAromaofBooks (edited) 4y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 4y
IuliaC I love this book 😍 3y
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slategreyskies
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Pickpick

Just finished this today. I felt that it could have been edited somewhat, as it was fairly repetitive in places, but it was otherwise quite good. I‘d give it 3 1/2 stars. It‘s definitely making me look at trees differently. That‘s a plus. :)

violabrain I agree with you about this book needing an editor! I learned a lot about trees from this book too, but I felt I could‘ve learned more had it been more organized! 4y
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VioletBramble
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I‘m currently reading this book and finding the information fascinating. I got to the section about “drunken forests” and had to go searching for images. Poor trees- but they keep on fighting to live and grow.

Soubhiville What?! Ok please tell me how this happens! I‘m very curious. 4y
VioletBramble @Soubhiville This happens to trees that are half grown- about 10 feet tall - in areas where there is a lot of snow, avalanches, shifting ground, like on hillsides, and in areas of melting permafrost. The trees are bent due to all the pressure. When the stressor is removed they continue growing upward. 4y
Soubhiville Wow, survivor trees! Cool, thanks. 4y
Nute That is a sight to see! So happy that they survive and continue to grow toward the sky. 💚🌳 4y
46 likes4 comments
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janeycanuck
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Recent acquisitions that have finally been allowed in the house after their mandatory garage quarantine. So happy my local indie is still able to operate!!

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belacat
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On my weekly adventure out in nature, I noticed this tough tree doing it's best to grow at a 90 degree angle. Hang in there, little tree! You're an inspiration.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Awwww love it!!! 4y
gallowbraids I recently bought this book. Did you ever finish it? 4y
belacat @gallowbraids It's on my TBR list. Some day I'll get to it. 4y
gallowbraids @belacat Hahaha, right? Same here. 4y
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RedLeaves
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So far so amazing!!!

ImperfectCJ This has been on my TBR since I heard the author on NPR several years ago, but maybe I should bump it higher on the list! 4y
RedLeaves @ImperfectCJ Definitely bump! It's so calming and beautiful! 4y
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theplacebeyondthespines
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Panpan

#56 #TheHiddenLifeofTrees #PeterWohlleben GR: 2/5 ⭐️⭐️ Honestly, there was nothing wrong with this book. I really struggle with non-fiction and I fell asleep a few times reading this on the train.. standing up. There were paragraphs I read and thought ‘interesting‘💭 but then the same point was repeated multiple times throughout book. Just not for me but I read it as I thought it would make a nice companion piece to #TheOverstory 🌳

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sdbruening
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Pickpick

I love that the science behind trees affirms the Tolkien characterization of Ents 😁 I listened to the audiobook, which I wouldn‘t necessarily recommend. Not because the reader wasn‘t great (he was!) but because I lost focus in the jargon. The writing was excellent. He related trees to humans so we can get them more. Lots of learning happened here.

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Caterina
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#BFC #BFCr4 Week 5 Check-in: I can't believe it's already been 5 weeks! This week I only got 2 runs in because I got a nasty cold that's been going around my seminary. I'm still not 100% but I'm stubborn so I ran 4 miles Friday night and 2.2 miles Saturday (when I saw this flower). 😂👍🏃‍♀️ I finished 2 books, getting me to 8/9 total! Pachinko (❤️) and the tagged (also ❤️). #RunningonReading @wanderinglynn @BarbaraJean @Catlover23 @hermyknee

hermyknee That‘s awesome! 4y
quirkyreader Feel better. As of right now I am working through “The Sayings of The Desert Fathers” and fighting off a migraine. 4y
BarbaraJean That flower is gorgeous! Hope you feel better soon—great job getting in two runs while under the weather! 4y
wanderinglynn Way to go! 🙌🏻 But I hope you‘re feeling better. 4y
36 likes4 comments
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Caterina
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Went for an #audiorun as a break from schoolwork/reading physical books! Felt so good to run outside for the first time in a couple weeks, and on such a sunny day too! 😊💕🏃‍♀️ I'm approaching 9 hours for the #MrBook1inaMillion #readathon. #BFC #BFCr4 #RunningonReading #LitsyPartyofOne #24BMonday @MrBook

MrBook I haven‘t run in a long time. 🙈😆 4y
28 likes1 comment