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The Hidden Life of Trees
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The Hidden Life of Trees (April 2019)
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If you're like me, it might be hard to imagine reading a whole book about trees (I'm not an outdoors person at all). But I started listening to this and it's already opened up my view of the world. I highly recommend reading a few chapters at least. You don't have to read the whole book to get your mind blown a little.
This is a terrific book! I learned so many astonishing things. Definitely worth reading, even for non-science types. : )
Hi all, I'm Specs (mostly on the Audiobooks group) and have been kindly invited by Mariah Roze to join your discussion here!About 2-3 years ago, this book was brought to my attention while on a trip with my Garden club. Our guide read parts of the book while we were travelling by bus - it was great.
I had this book in my wish list ever since, and recently it became available to me in my library app for audiobooks, so I could listen for free.
I listened a lot while actually walking around between old trees (on an estate, a place near Amsterdam where the rich people of Amsterdam used to spend their summers 17th/18th century). These estates are in the English landscape style of the time.
I was really seeing the things told about beeches and oaks, the tops of trees who slowly but gradually are getting thinner (ageing).
But like NancyJ, you don't have to be an outdoors person at all. It is kind of magic to read how these trees have "conversations" and all kinds of activities "underground".
I also liked about this book, you don't need to know a lot of specialist words, a lot is explained and it is an easy read, so very accessible.
I thought it was easy to read, too! The communication going on between trees really is wonderful. I had no idea.
We have a problem with the ash trees in our area, a bore is eating them away. They've all been treated, but for many it's too late, They're all spread apart (we just have one in our yard). Based on this book, I wonder if they could have helped one another fight off the bugs if they were closer together,
Hi) I've also been kindly invited by Mariah to this discussion :) I read this book some time ago and LOVED it! It seems that we, humans still have a long way to go to learn everything there is to, even about such usual inhabitants of our planet as trees.
What made me not 100% a believer is why no one else wrote such things so far? Or are we just too immersed into our techno civilization to notice anything going on around us, like trees gently communicating, healing their wounded fellows, gathering in groups? Not sure :)
Anyway, even if some of the stuff the author claims are happening, we definitely need to rethink our approach to trees planting and the concepts of introducing trees into our cities. Don't you girls think so? Planting trees so that they could be happy, could talk to each other, gather in groups, feed each other? Happier trees might go a long way to making cities happier places?
I like your idea, MTSA!Even if the book anthropomorphized trees more than what is there, it wouldn't be the first time attributing human feelings to nonhumans saved a living and valuable nonhuman from extinction from human activities.
Specs wrote: "Hi all, I'm Specs (mostly on the Audiobooks group) and have been kindly invited by Mariah Roze to join your discussion here!About 2-3 years ago, this book was brought to my attention while on a t..."
Welcome to the group Specs! That sounds like a wonderful place to walk. I should walk while I listen to this book too. This is my favorite season - right between the seasons of Snow and Bugs. It's amazing to see a book about trees become so popular.
☘Mǰ徱� ~ The Serendipity Aegis ~ wrote: "Hi) I've also been kindly invited by Mariah to this discussion :) I read this book some time ago and LOVED it! It seems that we, humans still have a long way to go to learn everything there is to..."
I like the idea of improving city life through happier trees. In my area, we're pushing for better dog parks. Dog parks would be nicer with more trees, and it would improve the air quality. I wonder though if trees like dogs. Or do they try to repel them like they repel some bugs?
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Hmmm. I know how I'd feel if a dog lifted its leg to me....; p
aPriL does feral sometimes wrote: "Hmmm. I know how I'd feel if a dog lifted its leg to me... ; p"LOL))) Let's hope not :) though, I know a person who's so irresistible to dogs that they always seem to be trying to get a bite of her :( She's even taken to wearing pants whenever she can)NancyJ wrote: "I like the idea of improving city life through happier trees. In my area, we're pushing for better dog parks. Dog parks would be nicer with more trees, and it would improve the air quality. I wonder though if trees like dogs. Or do they try to repel them like they repel some bugs? " I think it basically implies that trees react, like, very slow to things, so a dog either wouldn't register or would register as a provider of fertilizers :D)
aPriL does feral sometimes wrote: "I like your idea, MTSA!Even if the book anthropomorphized trees more than what is there, it wouldn't be the first time attributing human feelings to nonhumans saved a living and valuable nonhuman..." Yeah, we definitely could improve on our practices of treating plants. I've seen loads of trees basically stuffed in some narrow pots and barely surviving there. Improving on that wouldn't be too costly and the result would be more 'energized' trees that maybe could 'root-chat' with their neighbors.
I'm really looking forward to listening tho this. Sadly, the hold list at my library is very long. I've read a little bit about how trees communicate in other books, and found it fascinating.
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Mariah Roze wrote: "I officially started reading this book! Sorry I’m so far behind. I’m about 1/8th in so far and really enjoying it. I didn’t expect that. I thought this book would probably be boring, but I’m defini..."Buying a live tree for Christmas? For me, not any more....
; )
I never finished the book, but I got a lot out of it nonetheless. I listened to the audio, but missed portions of the last chapters. April, we loved having a real Christmas tree in the house, but 2 years ago we finally bought an artificial one, and we will never look back.
My neighbors planted 5 of the christmas trees they got when their kids were very young, and now they are tall and healthy and lovely to look at in the winter. They must have bought small trees with roots? I don't remember.
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NancyJ wrote: "I never finished the book, but I got a lot out of it nonetheless. I listened to the audio, but missed portions of the last chapters.
April, we loved having a real Christmas tree in the house, but..."
That is really true! I've never had a real tree and now for sure I never will.
Mariah Roze wrote: "That is really true! I've never had a real tree and now for sure I never will. " Yep. After reading this book, it would feel way to close to killing a live creature. I feel same way. And even growing a tree in one's garden might feel bad, since trees need company and one would have to think about providing it with company and everything it needs to feel happy, A harsh responsibility.
Mod
That is extremely true! I never even thought about that.
The Hidden Life of Trees What They Feel, How They Communicate � Discoveries from a Secret World by Peter Wohlleben