We all know plants are living things, but we often think of them as being “less alive” than animals. They can’t think or feel. Or can they? A deeper understanding of trees can be found not always in the plants themselves but in their fellow inhabitants of the forest. Forests are not only built up of plants and animals, but also fungi.
Myceliums are networks of fungi that grow on the roots of trees. Scientists have found that trees send electrical signals through these fungal networks. Based on how recipient trees chemically react to these signals, scientists are discovering that trees may be able to communicate with one another!
Some examples of this include defense and feeding; let’s first discuss defense. Certain tree species produce a chemical reaction when their leaves are being eaten by insects; this causes the leaves to taste bitter, so the insect will leave them alone. Studies show that when one tree is attacked by insects, other trees in the forest will start the same chemical reaction to embitter their leaves, even before the insects ever get to them. This may be because the first tree sent signals through its roots to other trees, warning not only of danger, but what kind of danger!
What about when it comes to feeding? Most are aware of photosynthesis, trees absorbing the sun’s energy and turning it into food, but not all trees are the same height. How do the younger, shorter trees get enough food to keep the next generation of the forest growing? The older, taller trees block out most of the sun with their branches. It seems a wonder that forests don’t quickly die off with little sunlight getting to the new growth down below. The key is that the taller trees, like mothers, share their nutrients through their roots. By the time the older trees have died off, the younger ones are now tall enough to create their own sun-catching canopy.
Are these decisions? Or just automatic reflexes? Evidence may point towards decision, as plants have also shown their ability to calculate. What does that entail? During the day, plants turn carbon dioxide into nutrients, and at night they live off of stored starch. This maintains growth and also keeps them from starving slowly over time. Where does the math come in? They must do this process at just the right rate, not too fast or slow, so that most of it is used by the time the sun rises. In other words, they must precisely calculate the correct amount of starch to consume so that they are not overloaded with sugars, nor left hungry long before dawn.
This may sound far-fetched at first, but if you really think about it, our own decisions, thoughts, and feelings are also simply chemical reactions within our bodies. This does not make them any less fascinating or any less real.
Here is something to think about: If tree reactions are simpler than ours, more instinctual than charitable, shouldn’t it be easier for us to care about one another? Trees do not have brains, and yet they can choose to share with the vulnerable among them. Could we learn to take better care of our communities with our own complex minds? By looking to nature, can we find a more peaceful way of life?
(Information Source 1: Peter Wohlleben’s book “The Hidden Life of Trees” 2016)
(Information Source 2: Awake Article “Was It Designed? The Mathematical Ability of Plants” 2015)