Intelligence of trees

[jack]

Never Underestimate the Intelligence of Trees - Issue 77: Underworlds - Nautilus

"We know old trees change their behavior to give advantages to their own kin. A parent tree will kill off its own offspring if they’re not in a good place to grow."

[will-o-wisp]

Jack, I have been reading the book The Hidden Life of Trees; What They Feel, How They Communicate : Discoveries from a Secret World by Peter Wohlleben (2016). The article you referenced falls right in with the whole communication system of trees and plants.

As I understand it at this point this communication and helping happens in forests when trees are grouped naturally and not in commercial enterprises from trees that have been potted or burlaped which disturbs their roots.

I also read 4% of street trees die from street light exposure.

Fascinating subject.

[jack]

Originally Posted by will-o-wisp

Jack, I have been reading the book The Hidden Life of Trees; What They Feel, How They Communicate : Discoveries from a Secret World by Peter Wohlleben (2016). The article you referenced falls right in with the whole communication system of trees and plants.

As I understand it at this point this communication and helping happens in forests when trees are grouped naturally and not in commercial enterprises from trees that have been potted or burlaped which disturbs their roots.

I also read 4% of street trees die from street light exposure.

Fascinating subject.

I'm familiar with the book you referenced and also found it excitingly fascinating. Symbiotic relationships between fungus, tree roots, and other organisms portray social, synchronized behavior for the success of allied species. It's truly amazing. I find myself wondering why everyone isn't talking about it.

[skip1909]

You might like this presentation by Suzanne Simard on the subject and her experiments. https://www.ted.com/talks/suzanne_si...age=en#t-14188 some trees don't share resources, her video says birch and fir share, but cedar doesn't. I find that curious and wonder what trees will create resilliant communties in urban/suburban settings, and which ones are selfish.

[jack]

Originally Posted by skip1909

You might like this presentation by Suzanne Simard on the subject and her experiments. https://www.ted.com/talks/suzanne_si...age=en#t-14188 some trees don't share resources, her video says birch and fir share, but cedar doesn't. I find that curious and wonder what trees will create resilliant communties in urban/suburban settings, and which ones are selfish.

Thanks for the link, Skip. It was fascinating. I found myself envying the speaker and the wonderful vocation she has developed for herself. What a wonderful way to make a living, truly learning more about how life behaves on the planet!!

[will-o-wisp]

I finally got around to watching, listening to, the Suzanne Simard TED talk. It was fascinating and she was so up beat in her presentation I hope everyone gets to hear it.
Thanks Skip.

Jack, I too wonder why this underground network isn't more widely discussed. It is a wonderful new frontier discovered right under our feet, what can be more interesting? We are literally standing on a whole new world!

[jack]

Originally Posted by will-o-wisp

I finally got around to watching, listening to, the Suzanne Simard TED talk. It was fascinating and she was so up beat in her presentation I hope everyone gets to hear it.
Thanks Skip.

Jack, I too wonder why this underground network isn't more widely discussed. It is a wonderful new frontier discovered right under our feet, what can be more interesting? We are literally standing on a whole new world!

Exactly! Well said!!!