Intelligent Trees

Dragons Eyes Films

Film Review

This documentary examines the latest research into the extensive underground fungal networks trees use to communicate with one another. .

The film follows actual laboratory and forest experiments showing how trees use these networks (which resemble brain-neural networks), not only to share sugar and other nutrients, but to transmit complex electrochemical injury signals. The latter function a lot like neurostransmitters in animals.

I was very surprised to learn that trees live in tightly knit communities just as people do. Most of the research has investigated “mother” trees that demonstrate fostering behavior with daughter trees of the same species. However there is also strong evidence that trees of differing species also engage in cooperative behavior. Scientist believe this is why trees in monoculture forest plantations are less likely to thrive than diverse native forests that evolve naturally.

https://vimeo.com/341147972