The Hidden Life of Trees

The old story that trees will grow better if their nearby competitors are removed so that they can get lots of sunshine and water, comes from the forestry industry that wants trees to grow quickly so they can be harvested at a young age.  

However, forester and author, Peter Wohlleben in the The Hidden Life of Trees tells a new story based on decades of observation and science.  He says that although the story of competition may be true for trees of different species, it is not true for trees of the same species.  Beech trees for example share resources.  Researchers have found that they synchronize their photosynthesis or sugar production using the power of the sun, so that all the trees are equally successful.  They share the sugar through their roots.  The trees that have an abundance give sugar to the trees that are struggling.  Wohlleben likens this to a social security system.

Peter Wohlleben

It is therefore beneficial for these trees to grow close to each other so that they can share resources. Foresters in the north of Germany have found that beech forests are more productive when the trees are “packed together” (Hidden Life p.16).  If nearby trees are cleared out, then trees that are struggling send out a message for help that goes unheard.  Other trees create a lot of sugar and grow better but they aren’t long-lived.  “This is because a tree can only be as strong as the forest that surrounds it,” writes Wohlleben (p. 17).  The weaker trees with no help are eventually killed by disease or insects.

Wohlleben has spent decades observing forests

As well, when holes are created in the forest canopy by cutting down trees, the sun and wind dries out the forest floor and changes the moist, cool microclimate that trees depend on for health.  Beech trees’ “well-being depends on their community, and when the supposedly feeble trees disappear, the others lose as well.” (p. 17)  This story challenges the accepted idea of survival of the fittest, the story of competition for resources that is a part of the old paradigm of hierarchy and scarcity.  Wohlleben describes why diversity, not monoculture is what creates security for ancient forests. 

Peter Wohlleben was born in 1964 in Bonn, Germany.  He studied forestry and worked as a forester with the German government for over 20 years.  After observing trees for all this time, he developed his own ideas about how forests work. “To work with trees is my life, “ he writes.  Wohlleben gave up his government job to pursue these ideas and now runs an environmentally friendly municipal piece of woodland in the village of Heummel. He writes and speaks about what he has learned from the trees he loves. You can hear Peter Wohlleben share this information in a short interview.

The Hidden Life of Trees describes how trees feel and communicate. It is full of surprising facts that have been revealed by recent research.  For example, when a tree has it's leaves eaten, it can release a chemical that makes the leaves taste bad.  In addition it can release a wind born scent to warn nearby trees of the threat so they can prepare.  

This is a new story being told about how trees work together and function as communities.  The story is being told by a man who has spent decades observing and learning from these forests.  We have a lot that we can learn from these ancients about how to cooperate and create healthy, sustainable communities and find our place within nature.

Peter Wohlleben  (2015)The Hidden Life of Trees.  Vancouver: David Suzuki Institute.

Project of Heart

If you think that nothing ever changes, the  you are going to want to check out this creative and inspiring project.  Project of Heart  (POH) was created in 2008 by Sylvia Smith, an Ottawa teacher who wanted to commemorate the lives of thousands of indigenous children who died as a result of the Indian residential school experience.  The project was taken up by Ministries of Education and school boards across Canada and now thousands of schools have participated in this important part of Canada's history.

Artwork of students at Stayner Collegiate Institute in Onario

Project of Heart engages students in “a deeper exploration of indigenous traditions in Canada and the history of Indian residential schools.  It is a journey for understanding through the heart and spirit as well as facts and dates.” (POH website)

The website lists six steps of Project of Heart.  The first step is to investigate the history and legacy of the Indian Residential Schools (IRS) in Canada.  The second step is to look in an in-depth way into one specific IRS and the children who were taken there.  

Students create tiles as a gesture of reconciliation

Step three is to create a gesture of reconciliation.  For this gesture, the website has instructions on art projects with tiles, feather wreaths, creating a song, a film or a video and other ideas. 

Examples of feather wreaths

 Step four involves a visit from a survivor of an IRS and listening to this elder tell their story.  

IRS Survivors visit with students

Step five is a social justice action.  The website has a good list of possibilities so that action is taken so the students can be a part of the solution.  The final step is to share the experience on the POH website and other forms of media.

There is no shortage of creative projects shared on the website.  Here, Orange Shirt Day in Williams Lake, BC in 2013.  This day was created to honour the story of a woman who remembered having her shiny new orange shirt taken away on her first day of school at St. Joseph Mission residential school.

This program not only informs the students about history, but also allows them to deal with the injustices by offering gestures of reconciliation and empowers them in taking action as well.

The website has many pictures and descriptions of projects that students ranging from Grade 4 to University have completed.  Grade 6 students from an elementary school in Barrie, Ontario created tiles that reflected their learning which were attached to a round table which now resides in the learning commons of their school.  It is available for groups who need to arrive at a consensus or for people who are in need of a restorative session.  

On National Aboriginal Day, June 21^st of 2015, Grade 4 students from Langley, BC and secondary students from Byrne Creek created heart gardens.  The hearts were decorated in memory of those affected by the IRS.  Some of the hearts were sent to the closing ceremony of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to be a part of the 1000 hearts from across Canada which were "planted" at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.

Details from the Heart Gardens

Students in Moose Jaw describe their plans for a permanent Heart Garden in this video.
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Grade 8 students from Shaunessy Park created a video to share what they learned, their wishes, apologies and promises.  You can view it here.

If you take the time to look at some of this amazing creativity and heart felt wishes coming from the next generations, you can get a glimpse of reconciliation in action.  You may be inspired to join them in your own way and be a part in writing our new story.

Five Acts of Compassion

 “The ocean of suffering is immense, but if you turn around, you can see the land. The seed of suffering in you may be strong, but don’t wait until you have no more suffering before allowing yourself to be happy. When one tree in the garden is sick, you have to care for it. But don’t overlook all the healthy trees. Even while you have pain in your heart, you can enjoy the many wonders of life—the beautiful sunset, the smile of a child, the many flowers and trees. To suffer is not enough. Please don’t be imprisoned by your suffering.”   Thich Nhat Hanh.

Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh is an internationally known author, poet, scholar and peace activits.  He was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

  

Here are some stories that came my way via the internet about people who chose to reach out to others to help ease their suffering and in so doing created rich experiences of joy and community.  Some of the stories have short videos that are worth viewing.  They will bring a smile to your face and warmth into your heart.  If you click on the headings, the link will take you to them.

Raising Men

College student, Rodney Smith Jr.,  started a free lawn cutting service for the elderly, disabled and single mothers.  He saw their need and responded.  Rodney quickly reached his goal of 40 lawns so he changed his goal to 100.  Then he gained volunteers.  He wants to teach young men that giving back is cool.  When he graduates he wants to register his service which he calls Raising Men  as a non-profit.  You can hear him talk about his experience by clicking on the heading.

 Compassion Always Wins

At the Junior World Challenge in Japan, Barcelona`s Under 12 team won against Japan 1—0.  The Japanese boys were crying while the Barcelona team celebrated.  Once the Barcelona boys realized how their opponents were suffering, they began to console them with kind touches on the face, hair ruffling and hugs.  The short, yet incredibly touching video concludes that “compassion always wins.”

Monks Free Lobsters

Monks from the Great Enlightenment Buddhist Institute Society in Little Sands, PEI bought 600 pounds of lobsters from fishermen across the island and then released them unharmed.  They weren't criticizing the fishermen or people who eat lobsters. They did this to cultivate compassion for all living beings.  The monks reported that the islanders including the fishermen supported their cause and the fishermen found a better place to release the lobster so that they won’t be captured again.

Teenage Team Runs with Dogs 

Luis Escobar, the coach of a California high school cross country team partnered with Stacy Silva, the community outreach coordinator for an animal shelter.  Escobar took the students to the shelter to pick up shelter dogs to take them along for the training run.   The dogs and the kids loved it and after posting it on Facebook, the shelter got more people interested in adopting dogs.  The team plans to run with the dogs again.  This simple yet brilliant partnering was a win, win, win.  The video is of course heartwarming and very cute!

A Gift from the Heart 

Justin,a boy from Boston gives his birthday money to the hospital that took care of him when he suffered severed burns as a baby.   When he was four he wanted to take his birthday toys to the hospital to make the kids feel better and has done it every year for the past five years.  Jon Sugden, a spokesman for the Shriner’s Hospital said that he “views Justin’s generosity as being more meaningful than some of these enormous gifts because it’s truly from the heart.”

These stories are all about simple acts that have ripples that go out into their communities, inspiring other people to be compassionate.  They warm the heart because we are actually wired to be this way.  Our hearts are wired to beat as one.