Have you ever been strolling through a still forest and thought that something enchanted was occurring around you? As if the trees were not standing there quietly but perhaps whispering, observing, or perhaps even… speaking? It appears it may not be so mythical after all. Scientists have learned that trees do talk, not in the voice we use, naturally, but through an amazing web of underground fungi, airborne chemicals, and possibly even vibrations and feelings. Forests are alive and in ways we're just learning about. So put on your mental hiking boots. We're venturing deep into the forest to discover the secret, interesting, and endearing language of trees.

The Internet of the Forest: The "Wood Wide Web"

Under every forest is an unseen world, a huge underground system comprised of tree roots and something referred to as mycorrhizal fungi. Fungi coexist with trees. They attach to roots and create long, thread-like networks that branch out across the ground, connecting one tree to another. With this subterranean web of fungi, trees exchange nutrients, chemical messages, and even warnings among themselves! It has been ingeniously referred to as the Wood Wide Web because it operates just like the internet, linking people in a web of life. So if one tree is having a tough time, perhaps it's shaded and not receiving sufficient sunlight, a nearby healthy tree can transfer some of its resources, such as carbon or water, through this network. This flips everything we believed we knew about trees on its head. They're not solitary stalwarts, fighting each other for sunshine. They're members of a cooperative support community.

Meet the Mother Trees: 

In each forest, there are ancient giants called mother trees. They are the big, old trees with deep roots and a strong bond with other trees in the forest. Mother trees are important. They are hubs in the Wood Wide Web. They provide nutrients to saplings, guide the development of their "offspring," and even impart wisdom in the form of chemical messages to assist other trees in surviving. If the mother tree is felled, it's not just a single tree that has been lost. The entire forest ecosystem loses out. The support system is compromised, and younger trees can find it difficult to make it. It's as if there are families in the forests too, with the elders guarding the young unobtrusively, modestly, and with profound wisdom.

Warning Signs in the Wind

Trees also communicate above ground, in the air. When a tree is infested by insects such as caterpillars or beetles, it emits special chemicals into the atmosphere. These air signals alert nearby trees to danger. The other trees spring into action, producing bitter compounds or hardening their leaves to make them unpalatable to pests. Some even attract predator insects that eat the pests attacking them! It's almost like a security alarm system of nature. Trees can't flee from danger, but they certainly know how to get the message out.

Can Trees Hear? This is where things only get more intriguing. There are studies that indicate trees and plants could be able to detect vibrations and noises. For instance, roots have been seen growing in the direction of the sound of moving water even when they're unable to sense the water directly. Plants even appear to respond differently to various kinds of music, speaking voices, and touch. Although they have no ears or brains, they sense vibrations, and these vibrations can influence their behaviour and growth. It's a line of research that's only just beginning, but the potential is astounding. Trees may not only hear one another, but they may even be able to "hear" us.

The Power of Words: Trees and Emotions

Believe it or not, trees and plants also seem to respond to human emotions and speech. One of the most famous experiments involved two identical plants placed in the same environment. One was spoken to with love and encouragement every day: “You’re beautiful,” “You’re growing so well,” “You’re strong.” The other plant was insulted and criticized: “You’re ugly,” “You’ll never grow,” “You’re useless.” The outcome? The plant spoken to positively grew stronger, greener, and more colourful. The negatively spoken-to plant began to wilt and die back, although both were otherwise treated exactly the same. This experiment has been done in various guises, even by IKEA in a bullying campaign at a school, and the result is nearly always the same: positive energy aids the growth of plants. So next time you pass a tree, compliment it. You could make their day.

Ancient Wisdom: India's Relation with Talking Trees

Here in India, the notion that trees are living, sentient creatures is nothing new. From Kerala and Karnataka's sacred groves to Jharkhand's tribal faith, trees have always been spiritually revered. Innumerable groups worship the Peepal, Banyan, or Neem trees, praying under, offering water, and tying threads to them. Actually, there are Indian tribes that think that if you curse a tree, it will die. However, if you bless a tree or talk nicely to it, it gets healthier and lives longer. All this is not just a myth anymore. Contemporary science is starting to substantiate these beliefs using actual data. Our ancestors did not have microscopes, but they had intuition and complete respect for nature. Sacred groves, which are "Devarakadu" or "Sarna", were guarded over generations. Nobody was permitted to cut trees there, as they were believed to be the residences of spirits. These groves are hotspots of biodiversity today, packed with endangered plants and animals that exist only because of knowledge that is centuries old.

Forests Are Families, Not Just Trees

The ancient notion of nature as competition and survival is being gradually replaced. Forests are not mere aggregations of trees struggling to get sunlight. They are societies where cooperation is every bit as important as competition. Trees nourish each other, alert each other, recognize kin, and assist their neighbours. There are trees that even share resources with dying trees, a kind of last farewell. Yes, there are self-centered trees as well. Some emit chemicals to prevent other plants from growing around them. But generally, the forest flourishes through balance, sharing, and communication. It's not survival of the fittest. It's survival of the most connected.

What Can We Learn from Talking Trees?

1. Words Have Power

Whether you're addressing people or plants, your words make a difference. Kindness, encouragement, and positivity have tangible results.

2. We're All Connected

Just as trees are linked underground, we humans are linked in ways we can't always see. Assisting others assists the entire system.

3. Elders Are Valuable

Just like mother trees, our elders are wise and strong. We need to shield and honour them.

4. Respect Nature

Forests aren't simply resources to be utilized. They are living, breathing cultures full of smartness and compassion.

5. Slow Down and Listen

The woods can be silent, but they're never still. If you listen carefully enough, you might just hear it whispering in the rustle of leaves, the creak of branches, or the gentle buzz of life beneath your feet.

Hug a Tree Today

Trees may not speak our words, but they have their own ancient, silent, and strong. They speak with roots and fungi, with smells in the air, with vibrations in the earth, and perhaps even with our minds and words. Next time

you are in the presence of a tree, do something different. Say something kind. Thank it. Listen. Touch it softly. Maybe even hug it. Who knows, the tree might be listening!

.    .    .