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

A beautiful account of the authors observations and findings on the very social lives of trees. The findings are intuitive and make sense when you step into a forest. You can feel the truth of it in how comforting a healthy, undisturbed forest feels to be in. Yet it is fascinating to learn the intricacies and details of how trees live, love, and learn together. The forest certainly is more than the sum of its parts. Beautifully and fittingly narrated as well I might add.

This book has changed how I will see forests and trees forever. I have always felt restored by walks in the woods but now I have a glimpse into the complexities of forest that produce those feelings of serenity and of being transported to a different level of perception and being. Some books describe the science of nature; others the poetry of nature; but this book captures both in a wonderful illumination of forests.

One of the most enjoyable and listenable non-fiction (other than The Great Lectures) books I've come come across on Audible. I learned a lot about a subject that has been revolutionized recently.

I will listen to it or read it again. It taught me so much about what's happening beyond the seemingly static outside of a tree. It helped me understand how vital, lively, and utterly necessary a healthy forest is. This book is something every school kid should have on their reading list.<br/><br/>Did you know that trees have a nervous system? That they strategically plan their growth? Help and support their family and neighbors? Most trees have the equivalent of brains in their roots. I saw a video of a tree getting transplanted by a giant spading machine the other day. I'd seen it once before and thought how cool it was that the tree's life was spared. Now I understand it got the equivalent of a lobotomy and a severely shortened life. This book will change your understanding of the world in a gentle and engaging way.

Trees are beings. We may not understand them very well yet, but that speaks to our historically human-centric approach to the world. The central chapters of the book were, for me, elementary in their approach to plants and their interaction with soil, water, and insects, because I have an advanced degree in plant sciences, but it would be understandable by anyone even without any science background. However Wohllehben's overall message of the need and the reasons to preserve forests as valuable environments is eloquent.

The best parts of the book, for me, are the early and the final chapters where the author makes an excellent case for his premise that trees do communicate among themselves and that we have so much yet to learn about the natural world. He also explains in beautiful prose why he loves trees and forests. I share his passion and hope that this book with introduce it to a wider audience. We would all be the wiser for it.

I have spent many years in the woods and always sensed something greater than what I saw was happening. Now I'm beginning to understand what it is
Thank you for this book

I appreciated the authors attempt at staying with in scientific research. My only real qualm is that in trying to explain what is occurring he anthropomorphised the processes to a point that will lead to misunderstanding.

So much is going on in and between trees and the environment & ecosystems. This audiobook gets in depth for many instances of amazingness - Trees support of and battles with one another, how trees can increase fish populations, the roles of trees throughout their lifespans. Sometimes this book seems to be an "all hail the mighty Beech" and sometimes limited to the battle between beeches & oaks. Still a wonderful listen where you'll learn to see and experience Trees differently.

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

A bit long winded at times, but absolutely delightful! A nice blend of science and wonder!