Suzanne Simard is the forest ecologist who has proven, beyond doubt, that trees communicate with each other — that a forest is a single organism wired for wisdom and care. Simard found that the processes that make for a high-functioning forest mirror the maps of the human brain that we’re also just now drawing. All of this turns out to be catching up with intelligence long held in aboriginal science. She calls the mature hub trees in a forest “Mother Trees” — parenting, eldering, in a mode of mutuality and reciprocity, modeling what we also know to be true of genuinely flourishing human ecosystems.Suzanne Simard is Professor of Forest Ecology at the University of British Columbia. You can connect with her ongoing work at mothertreeproject.org. Her book is called, Finding the Mother Tree: Discovering the Wisdom of the Forest.Find the transcript for this show at onbeing.org.

Ecologist Suzanne Simard studies the relationships between trees in a forest: they talk to each other, punish each other, and depend on each other. What can we learn from them?

Explore the fascinating world of tree communication and intelligence with Professor Suzanne Simard. Learn about the vital role of 'mother trees' in forest ecosystems, the interconnected networks of mycorrhizal fungi, and the impact of climate change on forests. Reflect on the speaker's journey into academia and the importance of preserving natural partnerships for ecosystem health.

Zoë Schlanger, a science writer for The Atlantic and author of 'The Light Eaters,' joins renowned forest ecologist Suzanne Simard, known for her groundbreaking work on the 'wood wide web.' They dive into the surprising intelligence of plants, including their ability to communicate distress signals and adapt to their environment. The conversation also highlights the vital roles of 'mother trees' in supporting forest ecosystems and emphasizes rethinking our ethical relationship with nature. Discover how plants are much smarter and more interconnected than we ever imagined!

Suzanne Simard, a Professor of Forest Ecology at UBC and author of 'Finding the Mother Tree', dives into the profound interconnectedness of forest ecosystems. She discusses how biodiversity supports tree survival and nutrient exchanges through mycorrhizal networks. Simard critiques industrial forestry practices like monoculture, advocating for sustainable approaches that honor both scientific and Indigenous knowledge. The conversation highlights the spiritual bond between humans and trees, urging a deeper ecological awareness to safeguard our forests.