The Power of Trees

hatch, the caterpillars eat their way inside. Small brown, wavy lines show where the moth babies have been happily chowing down-happily, because living inside a leaf offers good protection from hungry birds. The mined sections of the leaves dry out, and the caterpillars continue to eat. As summer progresses, the foliage looks increasingly ragged, especially as the first round of egg laying is often followed by a second.

The leaves on the trees along North Street were therefore already damaged when, after several hot days, the drought settled in. In a situation like this, chestnuts react just as all trees do: they shut down photosynthesis and wait. The trees have even less of an idea than we do of how long a dry period like this might last and therefore it makes sense for them not to panic right away.

The trees' first response is to close the millions of tiny mouths, the stomata, located on the undersides of their leaves. Trees use these tiny mouths to breathe, just like we do, and, just like us, trees expel water vapor with every breath. The water vapor cools their surroundings as it evaporates, and the green giants actively manage this process to make hot summer days more bearable.

When the roots signal all the moisture in the soil has been used up, the trees close these countless mouths. However, when the stomata are closed, photosynthesis stops because carbon dioxide is no longer entering the leaves. Without water and carbon dioxide, the trees can no longer use sunlight to produce sugar. At this point, the trees begin to consume the sugar reserves they were hoping to increase so they could survive their long winter sleep.

Despite the shutdown, the trees continue to lose a minimal amount of moisture through their leaves, roots, and bark. If the drought continues, they now employ a second strategy: they discard s

-Sy Montgomery, author of How to Be A Good Creature

"Trees, says Peter Wohlleben, have wisdom. So does he. In this magisterial take on how forests can save the planet from our worst endeavours, the German forester warns us against the hubris of tree planting. For their forest wisdom is greater than ours. Planting is usually bad, a 'giant PR operation.' Instead, he says, the world needs the quiet magic of natural forest restoration. We are, at best, stewards of the world's forests. We must stand back and let them grow."
-Fred Pearce, author of A Trillion Trees: Restoring Our Forests by Trusting in Nature.

"The Power of Trees sends a powerful message that humankind will not survive unless we revolutionize the way we conserve and manage our planet's dwindling forests. Through eye-opening stories, Wohlleben underscores how trees and the biodiversity of the natural world present us with critically important solutions to the climate crisis. [It is an important wakeup call for individuals and large-scale forest managers alike!]"
-Jeffrey Horowitz, founder of Avoided Deforestation Partners and founding trustee of the Jane Goodall Legacy Foundation

"Wohlleben continues to provide convincing and concrete research-based reasons why trees, and more specifically old growth forests, are critical to the health and survival of our planet and all that lives upon it. . . I would call this a must read for everyone!"
-Cori Cusker, Bright Side Bookshop, Flagstaff

"Peter Wohlleben is such a prolific author, you may look at The Power of Trees and wonder what he could possibly have left to say and move on. You'd be mistaken. . . A vital and important read for anyone who cares about our collective future on this planet."
-Tom Beans, Dudley's Bookshop Cafe, Bend

"An urgent and informative book that advocates for a new approach to managing forests that recognizes their complex nature as ecosystems rather than mere warehouses for wood. . . Wohlleben has faith that forests can rebound. He just hopes we'll still be around."
-Suzanne Morgan, Politics & Prose, Washington

"Wohlleben speaks to the importance of our ancient trees and forests. Rather than planting forests of new trees, he explains the huge benefits to be gained from stepping back and allowing the trees to do it themselves. Through his meticulous research and observation, he has discovered the extent to which ancient trees accumulate knowledge and pass it on the younger generations. If we can only trust them, and curb the desire to interfere, they have the power to heal our planet. Highly Recommended!"
-Becky Doherty, Northshire Bookstore, Saratoga Springs

"From the "tree whisperer" (my nickname for Peter Wohlleben) comes his latest reveal of what it means to be a tree and what it means to be humans who are dependent on trees for our well-being. . . Whether you've read his previous bestseller-The Hidden Life of Trees-or are just now discovering the wonders of his writing, you'll get a real education out of this new book. . . I really want you to read this!"
-Linda Bond, Auntie's Bookstore, Spokane

"Wohlleben has taken off his gloves and has named the enemy: foresters, and associated players like government agencies, lumber companies, lobbyists, PLUS the heavy machinery that kills soil for centuries (think of still-visible Roman roads). . .Wohlleben has nailed the solution in just a few strokes. FABULOUS!!!"
-Kay Wosewick, Boswell Book Company, Milwaukee



Praise for The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben
A NEW YORK TIMES, WASHINGTON POST, AND WALL STREET JOURNAL BESTSELLER




"A declaration of love and an engrossing primer on trees, brimming with facts and an unashamed awe for nature."
-Washington Post

"Heavily dusted with the glitter of wonderment."
-The New Yorker

"This fascinating book will intrigue readers who love a walk through the woods."
-Publishers Weekly

"In this spirited exploration, [Wohlleben] guarantees that readers will never look at these life forms in quite the same way again."
-Library Journal