Peter Wohlleben

The Hidden Life of Trees

1. IDEA 1

   Trees live in communities

   Wohlleben, a German forester, argues that trees in natural forests behave like social communities. He describes how they connect, share resources and respond to one another. In his view, a forest is more like a community than a crowd of strangers.

2. IDEA 2

   Older trees support young ones

   Wohlleben describes what he calls mother trees, large old trees that may share nutrients with seedlings growing in their shade. He believes this helps young trees survive. In his view, this care for the young is part of how a forest sustains itself.

3. IDEA 3

   Roots and fungi link trees

   Wohlleben explains that tree roots connect through fungal networks in the soil. Through these links, he argues, trees can exchange nutrients and signals. These hidden links lie under the forest floor and connect many trees at once.

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