The Power Of Trees by Peter Wohlleben

 

The Power of Trees by Peter Wohlleben.

Translated from the German by Jane Billinghurst.

Published 20th April 2023 by Greystone Books.

From the cover of the book:

An illuminating manifesto on ancient forests: how they adapt to climate change by passing their wisdom through generations, and why our future lies in protecting them.

In his beloved book The Hidden Life of Trees, Peter Wohlleben revealed astonishing discoveries about the social networks of trees and how they communicate. Now, in The Power of Trees, he turns to their future, with a searing critique of forestry management, tree planting, and the exploitation of old growth forests.

As human-caused climate change devastates the planet, forests play a critical role in keeping it habitable. While politicians and business leaders would have us believe that cutting down forests can be offset by mass tree planting, Wohlleben offers a warning: many tree planting campaigns lead to ecological disaster. Not only are these trees more susceptible to disease, flooding, fires, and landslides, we need to understand that forests are more than simply a collection of trees. Instead, they are ecosystems that consist of thousands of species, from animals to fungi and bacteria. The way to save trees, and ourselves? Step aside and let forests—which are naturally better equipped to face environmental challenges—heal themselves.

With the warmth and wonder familiar to readers from his previous books, Wohlleben also shares emerging scientific research about how forests shape climates both locally and across continents; that trees adapt to changing environmental conditions through passing knowledge down to their offspring; and how old growth may in fact have the most survival strategies for climate change.

At the heart of The Power of Trees lies Wohlleben's passionate plea: that our survival is dependent on trusting ancient forests, and allowing them to thrive.

Published in Partnership with the David Suzuki Institute.

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The Power of Trees is not my usual kind of read, but I am glad it found its way into my reading pile as it has proved to be a fascinating, and very thought provoking, book.

Based on Peter Wohlleben's many years working in the forestry commission in Germany, and his experience putting his own ideas on ecology into practice, this book forms a manifesto on what ancient forests can teach us and why we should be concentrating on saving them.

Wohlleben details many of his own observations about how trees overcome the trials and tribulations that plague them, citing relevant research to back up his theories on how and why trees respond to threats in the way they do, and he makes a compelling argument about what we can learn from theses strategies to address climate change. He makes much of the benefits of  trees, and ancient forests in particular, just in case you have any doubts about how vital the ecosystems they form are to the survival of life on our little (now much less green) planet - his point being how much we need them.

Along the way, Wohlleben has a lot to say about mistakes being made in the forestry industry, including the influence of politics on forestry practices; mass clearing of woodland for commercial farms; and the likely future we face as a result of unsustainable overconsumption of our woodlands - he even has something to say about toilet paper. However, this is not just a diatribe against all the ills that contribute to the loss of ancient woodlands, because he also offers constructive advice about how we can mitigate the effects of these causes too, especially by looking back in time for natural, and historically proven, solutions. 

This is not the kind of book you can read in one sitting, particularly since you find yourself stopping to think over many of the points that Wohlleben makes in his quietly persuasive way, but it is one you find yourself picking up frequently to imbibe his wisdom bit by bit. It is a very interesting read, and I found it rather inspiring. It has set me pondering about a lot of wider issues when it comes to climate change - and it will certainly encourage you to look into how you can make a positive move towards supporting the protection of our ancient woodlands too. 

The Power of Trees is available to buy now in hardcover, ebook and audio formats.

Thank you for Greystone books for sending me a proof of this book in return for an honest review, and to Random Things Tours for inviting me to take part in this blog tour.

About the author:

Peter Wohlleben spent over twenty years working for the forestry commission in Germany before leaving to put his ideas of ecology into practice. He now runs an environmentally friendly woodland in Germany, where he is working towards the return of primeval forests, as well as caring for both wild and domestic animals.

Wohlleben has been celebrated for his distinctive approach to writing about nature; he brings to life groundbreaking scientific research through his observations of nature and the animals he lives amongst. He is also the author of international bestsellers including The Hidden Life of Trees and The Inner Life of Animals.