Explore the Amazing Social Networks of Trees

You might not think of trees as social, but a lot more communication happens in the forest than you would expect. At any given moment as you stand in a forest, beneath your feet exists a complex system of communications. 

According to Smithsonian Magazine, some scientists even refer to the social network of trees as the “wood-wide web”. A single tree could be connected to hundreds of others through their root system and a diverse fungal community. From nurturing elder trees to sharing nutrients, discover the amazing social network of trees

Communicate through Fungal Networks
Just like our brains use neural networks to send signals, trees exchange chemical messages to communicate. But instead of nerves, they rely on fungi, according to Scientific American. These underground fungi, called mycorrhizal networks, act like nature’s information highway. Through this hidden wood-wide web, trees send chemical signals. This is how trees talk to one another, warning their neighbors or offering support when needed. It’s a fascinating reminder that forests aren’t just collections of trees — they’re dynamic, interconnected communities.

Trees Protect Their Neighbors
The chatter in the forest doesn’t just happen underground. Trees also use pheromones and scent signals in the air to communicate. According to the One Tree Planted organization, acacia trees in Africa emit ethylene gas to warn their neighbors of hungry giraffes looking to snack on their leaves. As a result, those forewarned acacias begin producing tannins. These tannins act as a defense system that can sicken giraffes and prevent them from eating the leaves. 

Nurture Elder Trees and Young Saplings
Trees care for their most vulnerable, like a family or community. According to Smithsonian Magazine, older mother trees nourish shaded saplings that lack sunlight by pumping sugar through their roots. Nutrients travel through an underground network connecting tree roots. At the same time, evidence shows that elder 400 to 500 year old trees remain alive even as stumps, sustained by nearby trees.

Could Smell and Taste Danger
Trees rely on smell and taste to protect themselves and surrounding trees, according to One Tree Planted. When elm and pine trees taste the saliva of leaf-eating caterpillars, they release pheromones through the air. This warning gas flows through the air alerting others of the threat. They coordinate with neighboring trees that pick up on the scent. Together, they release pheromones that attract parasitic wasps, a natural predator for caterpillars.

May Form Alliances with Other Tree Species
Trees don’t just protect their own kind. Even trees from different species form alliances to nourish each other. According to a blog on EcoTree, Douglas fir and white Birch trees work together to keep each other healthy throughout the seasons. During the fall and winter, the Douglas fir sends nutrients, like carbon and nitrogen, to neighboring birch trees that don’t have their leaves during the cold seasons. Birches return the favor when their foliage grows during the summer by nourishing the Douglas firs. Trees may actually be as social as animals and people.