The Secret Language of Trees

Beneath the forest floor lies a hidden network that scientists sometimes call the 'wood wide web.' Through thin threads of fungi connected to their roots, trees can share water, nutrients, and even chemical warnings. When one tree is attacked by insects, it can send signals that prepare its neighbours to defend themselves. Older, taller trees often act as hubs, supporting younger seedlings that struggle to reach the light. This discovery has changed the way many researchers think about forests. Rather than a collection of competing individuals, a forest may be closer to a cooperative community.