What does science tell us about how they interact? Micheal Pollan’s book Second Nature talks about this tension when he says, “We are at once the problem and the only possible solution to the problem.” x AmandaReplyCancel, Amanda, Have you heard of it? And I would like to think that wrinkles go along with that as well. I am a ‘do-it yourself’ kind of girl. I’m a wetlands/prairie gal myself, so I really loved getting to know the lives of trees in more detail, and I’ve taken a lot away of wisdom from this book in the sense of living a slower, more purposeful life and avoiding the “hustle” … I think if humans were a bit more compassionate, we could make better decisions and treat our trees, our planet, and all our creatures with more respect.ReplyCancel, Thank you so much for the recommendation, I am enjoying this book more than I would have ever imagined I would. I do not want to model a resentment for my job, which pays for us to eat and for which I am grateful.ReplyCancel, […] To visit The Hidden Life of Trees Discussion Part I Click Here […]ReplyCancel, I think I am a little late too! I love “crows feet” and other lines of faces that show a person has spent a lifetime smiling. Rather, I think we can learn a good deal from the slow steady nature of trees, and relish in the beauty of our little one’s childhoods a bit more! But the audio book I have in English has imperial units. They also have to learn that our world goes fast and they have to be able to live in this fast world. What struck you most—what did you find most interesting or surprising—in reading about the secret life of trees? My sister has and is continuing to make many poor decisions. In response to this question (on the changes inside of us from Winter to Spring), I am a Spring “fan girl” (I think is what it’s called). Thanks to selective breeding, our cultivated plants have, for the most part, lost the ability to communicate above or below ground-you could say they are deaf and dumb-and therefore they are easy prey for insect pests. But I have been trying to make a list of all of the things that I can do at home and even what I should be doing as far as getting in touch with my local representatives to make changes that are positive for our environment (especially due to the lack of action happening on our federal level).ReplyCancel. There is irony in the idea of revising for children an adult book that boldly challenges the conventional science that keeps humanity strongly detached from the plant kingdom. The following version of this book was used to create this guide: Wohlleben, Peter. I have to say that I never gave trees much thought. How does feeling the earth in its raw state make you feel? Almost as if the wrinkles that are left behind are not as beautiful. Community is so important and a solid surrounding of supportive friends, key. Thanks for the thoughtful facilitation, Amanda!ReplyCancel, Correction: it was a Thoreau quote, not Steiner. A message of hope indeed! I always loved looking at my Grandfathers hands, wrinkled, weathered, almost like old leather. this book club discussion is kind of a monday morning thing for me because of the time difference (i’m in germany) but that’s what nap time is for, eh? As someone who enjoys reading and learning about nature/conservation but who is not well-versed in technical jargon, I view the goals of this book to be lyrical at times but mainly a book for the “commoner”. But your like your quote says, we can not be strong if we are alone. He explains that the tree had much younger ‘shoots,’ but that “it is the root that looked after the survival of [the] organism… It is in the roots that centuries of experience are stored…” (81). It is up to us to help others and to find ways to be supportive to those who need it (everyone in some way). Other than you lovelies who, I’m sure, take pride in your sweet little gardens, what are you doing/what do you think you (we) should be doing to enhance our efforts in helping out our green friends and our big green and blue friend (Earth emoji)? How does this change the way we interact with them? Leaves me realizing that I’d do well to spend more time as a student of nature! My family, and I have had the hardest year. This makes me think: What can we do here? Answered Questions (5) I’d recommend the book Heaven on Earth – It’s not religious but explains the Waldorf rhythms very well! What do you personally think about them and the aging process in general? July will be our two year anniversary of hoping for a baby to come and every year I feel like I’m being pushed back down the mountain when I am trying so hard to keep upright and positive. They budget their strength carefully, and they must be economical with their energy so they can meet all their needs.” Pg 25. We live too quickly, where they take time to live. Where do you find your roots?ReplyCancel, Anjay, I loved thinking about and imagining the root systems of the trees in our yard and garden and how complex they all must be. ReplyCancel, Katelin, oh my YES. (This is my law post, I promise!) I think you’ve hit on a beautifully deep metaphor for life here – the difference between the complexity of our inner vs. outer lives. You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with To … It makes me realize that nature really does know best! that really spoke to me because i feel like i’m always in a hurry to grow “up” to the next step and not strengthen my life where i’m at. Let’s think about what we’ve learned and apply it to children and raising them. We are educated with good jobs. why is aging in nature so revered, but not among humans?ReplyCancel, (Question 4) What I mainly liked about the book so far is the many lessons we can take from trees and forests. Reader Q&A. Question 4: On another note, in what ways does the turn of the season from winter to spring ignite a similar rush of excitement inside of you? As a nanny, I have thought a lot about the education of children and the best ways to apply certain principles to our daily activities. Post-partum body after a couple c-sections (one with a very noticeable scar), turning 30 in January, and all the gray hair coming in! (Question 7) Man, as a woman, the aging process seems to be such a resented process. My little one is 14 months old but I’ve already been eagerly looking into Waldorf as well as Charlotte Mason! Let’s get started! Ashton, This chapter really stood out to me as well. I am trying to be mindful that aging is something that is a natural process. Our world, and the world of trees can at times be a brutal place. I just know there is nothing more beautiful to me then an aging women (and I have many grey hairs that I love). We often push them to grow and learn things at the pace we desire, instead of the natural rhythm of their own learning drive. I felt, along with the beech trees, that I too have been brought to the brink of myself. Just photos of a book, my notebook, my pen, and maybe my hand. When talking about the supportive nature of tree communities the author states, “This is because a tree can only be as strong as the forest that surrounds it.” The truth behind this statement and the metaphor it carries is profound, don’t you think? Random House, 2016. it’s tempting to focus on the coming season, especially when the one i’m in isn’t very pleasant, but the tree metaphor keeps coming back as a reminder “wherever you are, be all there.” xoxoReplyCancel, I found the intimate connection between the author and his subject surprising and touching – I had no idea how beautifully mysterious and complicated trees could be! These are my chapters 3 and 4 notes from Peter Wohlleben’s The Hidden Life of Trees. And how just like humans, some trees wrinkle earlier than others. I underlined this line from that page, “If a seed lands on soft, damp soil, it has no choice but to sprout as soon as it is warmed by the sun in the spring.” I think that connects to what you’re saying as well. It isn’t what is above ground that constitutes a trees age, but rather what is unseen, what is underground. The root system provides stability and strength; it provides guidance to the system that grows above ground. And yes, Game of Thrones.. What is really grabbing me about this book is how very little researchers/”scientists” know about trees still to this date. This beautiful, timeless book shares text from the New York Times bestseller The Hidden Life of Trees alongside stunning photographs of forests, taking readers on an unforgettable visual journey.. Reading this book has reminded me of how I once was, eager to see and learn, and has encouraged me to look around in order to better appreciate and understand what is taking place around me. Whole and healthy families will then be equipped to bring a lot more peace and joy into our world.ReplyCancel, I am struck by your words about what you are hoping for your students. Chapter 11 talks about trees aging gracefully ReplyCancel, I think ageing is one of the most beautiful things. A review of Peter Wohlleben, The Hidden Life of Trees: What they Feel, How they Communicate—Discoveries from a Secret World, trans. . It slowly pushes them back every year when they are trying so hard to stay upright. I too want to be one of those old ladies that completely embraces the gray hair and wrinkles. We have shown our Mother Earth a lack of respect in many ways. Next time!) Notes Entry 1 – A foreword, two introductions, and chapter 1. Victor Vorski. The Hidden Life of Trees. This book is amazing and totally changed my point of view when my husband and I took our girls on a walk through the mountains yesterday. Life and wisdom and majesty is likewise found in a person’s aged exterior (and with things, too – I love when you can visibly tell that an object has been well-loved). That is one reason why modern agriculture uses so many pesticides. It’s about the way that trees can communicate … The one thing that I have been taking away from this book has not only been what I am learning about nature but what I (and us all) can do to ACTUALLY take measures in helping out our fellow green friends. 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