The Hidden Life of Trees

What They Feel, How They Communicate - Discoveries from a Secret World

By: Peter Wohlleben

Narrated by: Mike Grady

How do trees live? Do they feel pain or have awareness of their surroundings? Research is now suggesting trees are capable of much more than we have ever known.

In The Hidden Life of Trees, forester Peter Wohlleben puts groundbreaking scientific discoveries into a language everyone can relate to.

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 lives 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 ecofriendly 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.

After a walk through the woods with Wohlleben, you'll never look at trees the same way again.

©2015, 2016 Ludwig Verlag, Munich, part of the Random House GmbH publishing group. Jane Billinghurst. Tim Flannery. “Note from a Forest Scientist” by Dr. Suzanne Simard. (P)2016 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"The matter-of-fact Mr. Wohlleben has delighted readers and talk-show audiences alike with the news long known to biologists that trees in the forest are social beings." (The New York Times)

Fascinating, flawed journey into tree biology

Listening to this book while driving through the forest was a perfect companion for my journey. Learning the interrelationship between different species of trees, soil fungi, and their environment was mind opening. I had never considered plants to have "intelligence" but this book makes a compelling argument for that concept. If we could only speed up time and see underground, we would have a much different comprehension of how sentient trees are, and how much more "animal" plants can really be.

My main complaint about the book is the constant anthropomorphization (sp?) of trees. Yes, the author is trying convince the listener how willful and intelligent trees can be, but he hits you over the head with the cudgel of the metaphor that trees have human qualities. After fifth or tenth time he makes the comparison, I found myself yelling back, "BUT TREES ARE NOT PEOPLE." If you can get over this, the book is quite enjoyable.

Only complaint about the narration is a silly American-English annoyance. The reader pronounced "fungi" as FOON-GEE, instead of FUN-GUY, and hearing this over & over eventually got on my nerves. Petty, I know, but there you are.

The Forest is Alive and Sentient

I loved this book. I grew up in an umtimbered forest and experienced the magic of a forest first hand.

The root of life

EXCELLENT book with an EXCELLENT narrator. Highly recommend to all those who love to breath.

If you love trees, listen and learn.🌲💗

I love plants and I love trees. This is the eye opener based on scientific fact, that trees have relationships with each other. Please listen carefully to deepen you understanding and respect for all living beings. Truly a fascinating read!!

really worth the listen!

must listen twice: first to enjoy, second to comprehend. Also important to get book for reference

Whispering of the leaves

A fascinating book, providing a new vantage point from which to look at, and enjoy trees. The book is nicely written, delving into not only the important benefits that trees provide, but some of the mystery. I was most taken with the idea of how trees hold memory, and how they communicate. The book gets down to "root level" of plant communication with some very striking examples of ways trees send signals, and how they assist each other. I was so intrigued learning about how the varying growth rates and particulars of various trees sets them up to support each other in high winds, because the differing vacillation of individuals helps support for adjoining trees. Of course, trees can also hinder each other, and there are interesting perspectives on how growth and evolution of forests occur.

Narration is pleasantly paced, and nice to listen to.

The book should help readers/listeners understand the importance of these interrelationships, and understand that trees are quite social beings. As such, cutting down a forest and leaving a few paltry specimens, which is quite common in development where I live in Maryland, significantly undermines the stability and health of the remaining trees.

Great Book!!

Loved this book! This book is filled with extremely interesting information presented in an almost story-like manner, making it a captivating and educational read. I find myself looking at trees more closely and with greater understanding. I highly recommend reading this to anyone considering it.

New !

I gobble up science books written for the lay person. After a while one science book can seem an awful lot like another. This one is all new to me. Additionally it is thoughtfully read and presented.

Trees

A fascinating listen. Well-narrated and interesting perspective on the often overlooked struggles and triumphs of our closest neighbours.

Wow, how did I not know about this book sooner!

An engaging insightful and inspirational book. Walking amongst the trees, I look at them now with more awe and wonder. Such a wonderful book!