![]() ![]() These personifications make reading about trees understandable. Wohlleben constantly seeks to describe the trees with various anthropomorphisms (sometimes perhaps in a slightly over-rhetorical way). Understanding and accepting that trees are also living beings and, as such, “sentient beings” – even if we can understand something else in our human terms. Moreover, understanding the “behavior” of trees in their natural environment can help us to become more accurate, professional, and more empathetic in dealing with them in general. Just as forest trees are not just raw materials, so are urban trees not just “street furniture”, mere scenery between buildings. This different view also applies to trees in urban environments. One of the book’s undisguised intentions is to look at trees differently after reading. Branches that have grown ‘too big’ are cut off, thus upsetting the balance of root and canopy. Teared out of their natural medium, they have to deal with smogy urban air, unventilated (concreted) soil, and many more. As Wohlleben calls them, urban trees are the “street kids” of the forest. Therefore, they receive exposure to different – much more harmful – effects than their forest counterparts. The latter are often planted side by side without expertise and special considerations. Therefore, the phenomena described in the book are hardly valid for trees in urban areas. It is important to emphasize that in Wohlleben´s examples refer to natural forests. In many cases therefore, Wohlleben must stick to describing the phenomena, without clear scientific explanation. Unfortunately, researchers are not quite aware of the scientific background behind these observations. They grow to roughly the same height, and the top branches grow thicker toward their rivals, not their “friends”. In addition to helping, relatives try to live closely together. They moreover prefer them over other tree species in the supply of nutrients. According to the book, trees “recognise” their offspring. They are in close connection with to the roots and pass nutrients not only to the weak individuals, but also to their “offspring”. Communication between trees is also partly due to these fungal filaments. ![]()
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