Did you know that trees can talk too?​ Here's how.

Created By RISC | 3 years ago

Last modified date : 2 years ago

Did you know that trees can talk too?​

We need to lose the cartoon image of trees chatting together. Trees don’t have complex sensory systems. But they produce a lot of signaling chemicals. Each tree can use them, especially when under stress, in a crisis, or in need of help.​

There are 2 types of tree communication:​

- Through the air: Trees release chemicals when their leaves are eaten or in response of bacterial or viral attack, wounds from rodents, or cuts by humans. Some species can detect chemicals in the air from other trees and respond by shedding their leaves, flowering, ripening fruits, making bitter or toxic substances in their leaves, forming thorns, and producing rubber.​

- Through the soil: The 19th-century German biologist Albert Bernard Frank found that trees have a mutually beneficial relationship with fungi. These mycorrhizae interact with roots and help in food production. They also help pass nutrients through underground networks to weaker trees to create a strong forest community.​

We can’t hear trees speak. But they can still be hurt and can still have feelings. Just look at how they use their thorns, rubber, or beautiful flowers to survive. They are just like animals or humans.​

Story by: Kotchakorn Rattanama, Researcher, RISC

Reference: Simard SW, KJ Beiler, MA Bingham, JR Deslippe, LJ Philip, FP Teste. 2012. Mycorrhizal networks: Mechanisms, ecolo-gy and modelling. Fungal Biology Reviews 26(1): 39–60. ​
Goni, P. Lopez, P. Sanchez, C., Gomez-Lus, R., Beoerril, R. and Nerine, C. (2009). Antimicrobial activity in the vapour phase of a combination of cinnamon and clove essential oils. Food Chemistry. 116(4): 982-989.