Summary of The Hidden Life of Trees

This audiobook is narrated by a digital voice. Are trees social beings? In The Hidden Life of Trees, forester and author Peter Wohlleben makes a compelling case that they are. Drawing on groundbreaking scientific discoveries, Wohlleben shows that the forest functions as a vibrant social network. Trees behave much like human families: parents live alongside their children, communicate with them, nurture them as they grow, share nutrients with those that are sick or struggling, and even alert one another to looming dangers. Wohlleben combines scientific insight with a profound love for the woods, revealing the astonishing processes of life, death, and regeneration he has witnessed in the forest. His observations invite readers to see trees not merely as plants, but as living beings capable of connection, cooperation, and care. Praised as “a declaration of love and an engrossing primer on trees, brimming with facts and an unashamed awe for nature” by the Washington Post and described as “heavily dusted with the glitter of wonderment” by The New Yorker, The Hidden Life of Trees also includes a Note from forest scientist Dr. Suzanne Simard. Published in partnership with the David Suzuki Institute, it offers a fresh, inspiring perspective on the hidden world of forests.