The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

This is the discussion thread for the Summer 2022 Group Read The Hidden Life of Trees: what they feel, how they communicate : discoveries from a secret world in the category Non Fiction - Nature. Please post your comments here. This thread is not restricted to those choosing this book for task 20.10, feel free to join in the discussion. Warning- spoilers ahead!

The requirement for task 20.10: You must participate in the book's discussion thread below with at least one post about the contents of the book or your reaction to the book after you have read the book.

This book gives "Talk to the Trees". It is amazing how smart trees are, although it has taken a while for humans to figure out even a small bit of their language This small volume ought to be read by everyone for you will learn a lot from these other life forms.

I found this on audiobook and found the whole audiobook terribly soothing... The narrator has just a lovely voice (not a monotone or anything like that) but gosh, it's so calming. It just needed the additional sound effect (rustling leaves maybe?) to make this into a kind of meditational recording.

What I managed to catch however was just how incredibly ignorant we all are about trees! It's totally something I take for granted of being there but had no further thoughts on its needs/experiences. What is very clear is the author's love for these living things.

Tien wrote: "I found this on audiobook and found the whole audiobook terribly soothing... The narrator has just a lovely voice (not a monotone or anything like that) but gosh, it's so calming. It just needed th..."

I have the audiobook reserved at my library - I look forward to it even more now that you say this!

In the past few years, I've read several books (A Sand County Almanac and Sketches Here and There, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants, and The Seed Keeper) that have changed the way I look at the natural world. This book falls into that category. I realized that much of what I thought I knew about trees pertains to commercially grown trees and old growth trees are a totally different species. For example, I didn't realize that trees live to be hundreds and even thousands of years old, and that at age 80, they might only be a few feet tall. However, parts of the book felt too anthropomorphic, I have trouble believing trees feel pain, that they intentionally support one another. But there is probably some degree of truth in what he says. All in all, it was an interesting read.

I have only just started this book but can echo the comment above about it being a relaxing audiobook - I honestly think this would be perfect to listen to in a forest! Unfortunately I will likely be listening to it in the car, or whilst doing housework but I am enjoying it so far & look forward to a new understanding of trees :)

Having just finished this book I don't think I will ever look at trees/forests in quite the same way! There were so many things that I suppose I did know but had never really actively thought about, such as why tree bark is bumpy, almost scarred.
It is quite long & can be a bit dry in places, but overall a fascinating read!

I read this for the Fall 2021 Challenge and it stuck with me. I often think about how much pain and damage we are doing: stopping the tree migration, planting single trees, mutilating trees, etc. That combined with all scientists have learned about root systems is just mind blowing. It's all good to know and to be mindful of. Ignorance is bliss but knowledge is much more responsible.

What an interesting book! I also listened to the audiobook, in fact I started it while out walking in nature, and it was surreal to look at the trees around me while hearing about the complexities of their lives. It has certainly changed the way I look at and think about trees and other plants.

I did find the book to be repetitive at points, and I also agree with what Kim said about the anthropomorphism in the book.

Overall it was an enjoyable and interesting read.

Kathy KS

I've always loved trees. And when I tell people what I miss most about the eastern part of the state, now that I've lived in the central part for nearly 40 years, it's "trees" that comes out. Yes, we have them here, but not in the same abundance. The Hidden Life of Trees was an interesting read and strengthened my feelings about trees. Actually, I'm now contemplating what the varied species of trees in my own tree-filled yard are actually feeling, since few have "family" here.

This book should make everyone think about how interconnected our world is and what we can do to make things better for all of us. I realize that people that have always lived in huge urban areas may have trouble relating to the author's tales of wandering through "his forest." But, places like Central Park in NYC and the amount of visitors to national parks, forests, etc. show that the love of trees and nature are hard-wired in many of us. In the chapter entitled "Healthy Forest Air" we read about studies that show blood pressure of walkers differ when walking in forests; the studies show that it even varies between deciduous forests and those of conifers. This resonated with me, since our family often vacations and camps around forests and this chapter helped explain why we have such good feelings when wandering in them.

The book may not be for everyone and gets somewhat dry at times, but even if readers simply dip into the book here and there, they will discover so many interesting facts about trees and their relationship with the rest of the world. We need them more than they need us.

I must also add that I felt that the translator did a very good job, in my opinion.

I didn't get around to this in the Summer SRC, but it was still on my list, so I've read it for the Fall one.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this, but it provides a fascinating look at our longest-lived organic neighbours. There were definitely a few "huh, well that makes sense" moments, as well as some others which wouldn't have occurred to me at all.

I've always loved woods and forests, but I'm never going to quite look at them the same way again.