Tags
Ashley Riordan, Community, Conservation Education, Forest Glen, Greystone Books, Humans, Linda Akeson McGurk, Neighbors, Peter Wohlleben, Rain Or Shine Mamma, The Hidden Life of Trees, The Hidden Life of Trees Illustrated Edition, The Hidden Life of Trees Illustrated Edition Review, The Hidden Life of Trees Review, Vermilion County
Have you ever experienced the deep level of calm achieved only in nature, when everything in your body slows down? The natural world envelopes you and you feel small and protected, part of a larger plan. Reading the illustrated edition of The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben gives me the same feeling. It’s like going for a walk in the woods with an older, more knowledgeable friend- Outdoor School for grownups if you will. The illustrated edition adds to the reading experience with breathtaking full-color photographs of trees and animals. I’m convinced just holding the book in your hands slows your breathing, lowers your blood pressure, and creates an experience of calm.
Peter Wohlleben’s book explores trees in a unique way and gives them almost humanlike qualities as he describes their communication methods, solidarity, and teamwork. He shares stories of trees keeping a stump alive for hundreds of years, sending warning gases to neighbors that a hungry giraffe is nearby, and even synchronizing their reproduction process to achieve a healthy mix of genes and to ensure that animals couldn’t possibly eat all the seeds.
When trees grow together, nutrients and water can be optimally divided among them all so that each tree can grow into the best tree it can be.
The Hidden Life of Trees isn’t just about trees, it’s about how to be a good human. Just imagine if we lived in communities so deeply connected and supportive of one another. Where differences were equalized so we all could flourish.
Every tree, therefore, is valuable to the community and worth keeping around for as long as possible. And that is why even sick individuals are supported and nourished until they recover. Next time, perhaps it will be the other way round, and the supporting tree might be the one in need of assistance. When thick silver-gray beeches behave like this, they remind me of a herd of elephants. Like the herd, they, too, look after their own, and they help their sick and weak back up onto their feet. They are even reluctant to abandon their dead.
The illustrated edition of The Hidden Life of Trees surpassed my wildest expectations and I’d recommend it to anyone who loves nature. I’m convinced Rain Or Shine Mamma would love it as well as my favorite BookTuber- Ashley Riordan and I plan to give it to many people as gifts.
I’m forever grateful to Greystone Books for allowing me to review the illustrated edition! Thank you so very much!