There is an exquisite simplicity that comes from contemplating trees. To the naked eye, they appear so basic, carefree, and whole; and if you look deeper, you discover an extremely intricate network that is yet to be discovered by the clueless spectator. Peter Wohlleben begins to uncover the mystery of these fascinating creatures in his book: The Hidden Life of Trees. A fascinating journey for the curious who have wondered what lies beyond the leaves, branches, and roots we are so accustomed to seeing.
This book has brought me countless reflections that can be applied to everyday life. I am particularly drawn to the dynamics of parenthood that exist in trees. It turns out that young trees are very keen on growing quickly. Their mother’s height and shade, however, only allow 3% of sunlight to reach the ground and their children’s leaves. This makes it almost impossible to drive upward, grow a thicker trunk, or even rebel against it because there is not enough energy to sustain it! This upbringing method is called ‘light deprivation’ by foresters and ultimately serves the purpose of ensuring slow growth as this is a prerequisite if a tree is to live to an old age. Slow growth makes trees flexible, resistant to breaking in storms, build resistance to fungi and fighting injuries effectively.
A call to slow down some might say?
The slow lane may not always appear to be what it first seems…
References & going deeper:
Peter Wohlleben, The Hidden Life of Trees: What they Feel, How they Communicate—Discoveries from a Secret World, trans. Jane Billinghurst. Foreword by Tim Flannery. Greystone Books, Vancouver and Berkeley, 2016.