The Hidden Life Of Trees
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 InstituteBUY THE BOOK
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Community Reviews
PFS Book Club --- 19th August 2023
Yesterday we reviewed book called “ The hidden Life of Trees” by Peter Wohlleben.
Pooja started the session with a little trivia asking what the age of oldest plant and answer is 9000 years. She started discussion explaining how trees behave like humans and support each other like families. They live together, communicate with each other, support each other, share food with neighboring plants who are sick and even warn each other of any impending dangers. Pooja mentioned that trees never repeat mistakes and can remember experiences and learn from them. One of the example she quoted was if a plant makes mistakes of shedding leaves after the first frost , it wont repeat the same again. Manish mentioned that trees are not able to move, but have developed alternative system of protecting themselves, one example of communication between trees was how roots get connected to each other through underground fungi by transmitting electrical impulses and warning each other of upcoming pest invasion or drought. One example Pooja gave that in African, giraffe eat some particular type of plants and when hat happens it releases toxic substances that stops the herbivores from eating on their branches within minutes.
She also mentioned that if we go to forest and try to put our ears on ground, we will hear the crackling sound of roots at 20 hz frequency confirming trees communicate with each other.
Shekhar mentioned that how tree rings which signifies the age of plants is being used in USA to determine the age of buildings
We also discussed secret life of plants and Manish mentioned about JC bose who was able to study tat plants have emotions and through his experiments he proved that xylem and phloem in plants are like human nerves.
Pooja mentioned that author mentions that we can preserve growth of forests by without disturbing them. By allowing trees as per their instincts will support plant life and mankind both.
Last not the lease some kids as well joined the session and their knowledge on trees and evolution was amazing and the way they explained left many of us dumbstruck.
Yet another amazing session 😊
Everything I thought I knew about trees was turned on its head. This book will always have a special place in my heart because it showed me how Extraordinary nature really is and how little we know. It also helped me understand people-dynamics better!
I loved this book. The author clearly thinks trees are the bees knees and I must admit I went into the book already feeling the same way. But there was so much I didn’t know. This book had me exclaiming in awe every few pages and running downstairs to read passages to my husband. What a treat to be so surprised and delighted by something I already held in such reverence.
I don’t usually re-read non-fiction, but I’ve read this book three times already and writing this review is actually making me feel like it’s been too long already since I read it last.
I don’t usually re-read non-fiction, but I’ve read this book three times already and writing this review is actually making me feel like it’s been too long already since I read it last.
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