1
00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,160
You know how much we love to uncover secrets

2
00:00:02,160 --> 00:00:03,980
on this show, right?

3
00:00:03,980 --> 00:00:05,400
Well, get ready for a big one,

4
00:00:05,400 --> 00:00:09,120
because today we're diving into the hidden world of trees.

5
00:00:09,120 --> 00:00:10,480
Yeah, fascinating stuff.

6
00:00:10,480 --> 00:00:11,520
It really is.

7
00:00:11,520 --> 00:00:14,360
We're talking about how trees communicate,

8
00:00:14,360 --> 00:00:17,160
something most people don't even realize is going on.

9
00:00:17,160 --> 00:00:17,980
Right.

10
00:00:17,980 --> 00:00:20,460
It's like a whole secret language, shared resources,

11
00:00:20,460 --> 00:00:22,720
early warning systems, it's unbelievable.

12
00:00:22,720 --> 00:00:24,800
I know, it really makes you appreciate trees

13
00:00:24,800 --> 00:00:26,000
in a whole new way, doesn't it?

14
00:00:26,000 --> 00:00:27,200
Absolutely. Absolutely.

15
00:00:27,200 --> 00:00:29,820
So to help us unpack this incredible world,

16
00:00:29,820 --> 00:00:32,280
we've got a leading expert in tree communication

17
00:00:32,280 --> 00:00:33,180
with us today.

18
00:00:33,180 --> 00:00:34,380
Happy to be here.

19
00:00:34,380 --> 00:00:37,620
So for centuries, we humans,

20
00:00:37,620 --> 00:00:39,320
I mean, we've admired trees, obviously.

21
00:00:39,320 --> 00:00:40,280
Of course, yeah.

22
00:00:40,280 --> 00:00:41,880
The beauty, the shade they provide.

23
00:00:41,880 --> 00:00:42,720
Right.

24
00:00:42,720 --> 00:00:45,360
But it turns out we've seriously underestimated them.

25
00:00:45,360 --> 00:00:46,280
Yeah.

26
00:00:46,280 --> 00:00:49,280
You could say we've been blind to their secret lives.

27
00:00:49,280 --> 00:00:52,080
Okay, so underestimated might actually be an understatement.

28
00:00:52,080 --> 00:00:52,920
It's true.

29
00:00:52,920 --> 00:00:55,000
We're talking about a whole secret language going on here.

30
00:00:55,000 --> 00:00:56,320
Like what? I know, right?

31
00:00:56,320 --> 00:00:59,100
Trees are sharing resources, they're sending warnings,

32
00:00:59,100 --> 00:01:01,840
they even have like family dinners or something.

33
00:01:01,840 --> 00:01:02,680
Laughs.

34
00:01:02,680 --> 00:01:04,060
Well, maybe not quite dinner parties,

35
00:01:04,060 --> 00:01:05,280
but you're getting the idea.

36
00:01:05,280 --> 00:01:07,080
Okay, so where do we even begin?

37
00:01:07,080 --> 00:01:11,640
How do we go from seeing trees as these like solitary beings

38
00:01:11,640 --> 00:01:16,480
to realizing they're more like a complex society?

39
00:01:16,480 --> 00:01:18,280
It's a huge shift in thinking, isn't it?

40
00:01:18,280 --> 00:01:19,120
Huge.

41
00:01:19,120 --> 00:01:21,220
For a long time, the scientific view was that trees

42
00:01:21,220 --> 00:01:23,320
were basically just competing with each other.

43
00:01:23,320 --> 00:01:25,560
Yeah, fighting for sunlight, nutrients, all that.

44
00:01:25,560 --> 00:01:27,400
Exactly, every tree for itself, right?

45
00:01:27,400 --> 00:01:28,240
Right.

46
00:01:28,240 --> 00:01:30,320
And then comes along this groundbreaking research,

47
00:01:30,320 --> 00:01:34,040
people like Suzanne Simard, Peter Voldeben.

48
00:01:34,040 --> 00:01:34,880
Legends.

49
00:01:34,880 --> 00:01:37,720
And they completely turn this solitary view on its head.

50
00:01:37,720 --> 00:01:39,000
So what's the deal then?

51
00:01:39,000 --> 00:01:41,120
Well, imagine a vast network

52
00:01:41,120 --> 00:01:42,660
operating beneath the forest floor,

53
00:01:42,660 --> 00:01:45,120
connecting the roots of all the trees.

54
00:01:45,120 --> 00:01:46,600
Like the internet, but for trees.

55
00:01:46,600 --> 00:01:50,120
Exactly, the wood-wide web, it's been called.

56
00:01:50,120 --> 00:01:51,160
I love that.

57
00:01:51,160 --> 00:01:53,720
And it's made possible by these incredible organisms

58
00:01:53,720 --> 00:01:55,960
called mycorrhizal fungi.

59
00:01:55,960 --> 00:01:57,480
Okay, hold on, fungi.

60
00:01:57,480 --> 00:01:59,840
Like the things that pop up on my bread sometimes.

61
00:01:59,840 --> 00:02:02,000
Not exactly the same, but you're on the right track.

62
00:02:02,000 --> 00:02:03,440
Okay, so what's the connection?

63
00:02:03,440 --> 00:02:06,640
Well, these mycorrhizae, they actually grow around

64
00:02:06,640 --> 00:02:08,960
and even inside the roots of trees.

65
00:02:08,960 --> 00:02:09,800
Really?

66
00:02:09,800 --> 00:02:12,960
Yeah, and they form this mutually beneficial relationship,

67
00:02:12,960 --> 00:02:14,440
what we call a symbiosis.

68
00:02:14,440 --> 00:02:16,120
Symbiotic, so it's like a win-win.

69
00:02:16,120 --> 00:02:18,720
Exactly, trees need nutrients, right?

70
00:02:18,720 --> 00:02:20,960
Things like nitrogen and phosphorus.

71
00:02:20,960 --> 00:02:21,800
Makes sense.

72
00:02:21,800 --> 00:02:23,480
And fungi, they're really good

73
00:02:23,480 --> 00:02:25,680
at extracting these nutrients from the soil.

74
00:02:25,680 --> 00:02:29,280
Ah, so they're like the tree's personal little miners.

75
00:02:29,280 --> 00:02:30,560
In a way, yes.

76
00:02:30,560 --> 00:02:32,080
And in return, the trees,

77
00:02:32,080 --> 00:02:34,520
they provide the fungi with sugars.

78
00:02:34,520 --> 00:02:35,360
Sugars.

79
00:02:35,360 --> 00:02:37,560
Yeah, which they produce during photosynthesis,

80
00:02:37,560 --> 00:02:39,320
something fungi can't do themselves.

81
00:02:39,320 --> 00:02:41,840
So it's like a trade-off, they're swapping snacks.

82
00:02:41,840 --> 00:02:44,480
I like that, they're swapping snacks.

83
00:02:44,480 --> 00:02:47,600
But it's this exchange that allows both the trees

84
00:02:47,600 --> 00:02:49,200
and the fungi to thrive.

85
00:02:49,200 --> 00:02:50,040
That's incredible.

86
00:02:50,040 --> 00:02:51,800
So this is happening beneath our feet right now.

87
00:02:51,800 --> 00:02:53,240
Right now, all around us.

88
00:02:53,240 --> 00:02:55,120
It's like a whole secret world we never even knew about.

89
00:02:55,120 --> 00:02:56,880
A whole hidden economy.

90
00:02:56,880 --> 00:02:58,360
And it gets even more incredible.

91
00:02:58,360 --> 00:03:00,160
More, okay, you got me, tell me more.

92
00:03:00,160 --> 00:03:03,040
So you've got these older, more established trees,

93
00:03:03,040 --> 00:03:04,600
often called mother trees.

94
00:03:04,600 --> 00:03:05,520
Mother trees?

95
00:03:05,520 --> 00:03:06,720
Wait, are you serious?

96
00:03:06,720 --> 00:03:08,280
Completely serious.

97
00:03:08,280 --> 00:03:10,040
That's amazing.

98
00:03:10,040 --> 00:03:11,480
I need to know more about these mother trees.

99
00:03:11,480 --> 00:03:12,600
Like, what do they do?

100
00:03:12,600 --> 00:03:15,320
So picture this, you've got a young sapling,

101
00:03:15,320 --> 00:03:17,360
just trying to get a start in the world.

102
00:03:17,360 --> 00:03:18,840
Tough being a young tree.

103
00:03:18,840 --> 00:03:21,560
It is, especially in a dense forest

104
00:03:21,560 --> 00:03:23,000
where sunlight is scarce.

105
00:03:23,000 --> 00:03:24,400
Right, they gotta fight for every ray.

106
00:03:24,400 --> 00:03:25,600
Exactly.

107
00:03:25,600 --> 00:03:27,480
But here's where the mother trees come in.

108
00:03:27,480 --> 00:03:29,360
They're like, come here little buddy, I gotcha.

109
00:03:29,360 --> 00:03:30,440
Exactly.

110
00:03:30,440 --> 00:03:32,680
Through this incredible underground network

111
00:03:32,680 --> 00:03:33,640
we've been talking about,

112
00:03:33,640 --> 00:03:36,160
they actually provide those struggling saplings

113
00:03:36,160 --> 00:03:37,840
with essential nutrients.

114
00:03:37,840 --> 00:03:39,240
Wow, that's incredible.

115
00:03:39,240 --> 00:03:41,160
They're like nurturing the next generation.

116
00:03:41,160 --> 00:03:42,000
Exactly.

117
00:03:42,000 --> 00:03:44,000
It's about more than just competition,

118
00:03:44,000 --> 00:03:47,520
it's about support, about ensuring the long-term health

119
00:03:47,520 --> 00:03:49,000
of the entire forest.

120
00:03:49,000 --> 00:03:50,320
Like a whole community down there.

121
00:03:50,320 --> 00:03:51,440
Exactly.

122
00:03:51,440 --> 00:03:53,480
And that's what makes this research so groundbreaking.

123
00:03:53,480 --> 00:03:57,040
It's changing everything about how we view trees and forests.

124
00:03:57,040 --> 00:03:59,080
Okay, so we've got this incredible network

125
00:03:59,080 --> 00:04:02,640
happening underground, but what about above ground?

126
00:04:02,640 --> 00:04:04,360
How else are they communicating?

127
00:04:04,360 --> 00:04:05,720
Well, picture this.

128
00:04:05,720 --> 00:04:07,720
A tree is under attack, let's say,

129
00:04:07,720 --> 00:04:10,240
from a swarm of hungry insects.

130
00:04:10,240 --> 00:04:11,400
Okay, I can picture that.

131
00:04:11,400 --> 00:04:13,600
Now instead of just standing there and taking it,

132
00:04:13,600 --> 00:04:16,760
this tree releases chemical signals into the air.

133
00:04:16,760 --> 00:04:19,160
Chemical signals, like a Tree 9-1-1 call.

134
00:04:19,160 --> 00:04:22,440
Exactly, a silent alarm, if you will.

135
00:04:22,440 --> 00:04:25,760
These chemicals, they're called volatile organic compounds,

136
00:04:25,760 --> 00:04:26,720
or VOCs.

137
00:04:26,720 --> 00:04:27,680
VOCs, got it.

138
00:04:27,680 --> 00:04:30,840
And nearby trees, they can actually detect these VOCs.

139
00:04:30,840 --> 00:04:32,800
So the other trees get the message,

140
00:04:32,800 --> 00:04:34,880
like watch out guys, we're under attack.

141
00:04:34,880 --> 00:04:36,920
Exactly, it's like a neighborhood watch program

142
00:04:36,920 --> 00:04:38,120
for the forest.

143
00:04:38,120 --> 00:04:38,960
So cool.

144
00:04:38,960 --> 00:04:40,760
So what happens then?

145
00:04:40,760 --> 00:04:43,040
Do all the trees release bug spray or something?

146
00:04:43,040 --> 00:04:44,040
Lefs.

147
00:04:44,040 --> 00:04:46,640
Not exactly bug spray, but close.

148
00:04:46,640 --> 00:04:48,680
The trees that receive the signal,

149
00:04:48,680 --> 00:04:51,360
they start producing defensive compounds themselves.

150
00:04:51,360 --> 00:04:52,200
Wow.

151
00:04:52,200 --> 00:04:54,320
And then like this, they start producing these defenses

152
00:04:54,320 --> 00:04:56,440
even before the insects reach them.

153
00:04:56,440 --> 00:04:59,080
Seriously, so they're like prepping for battle.

154
00:04:59,080 --> 00:05:02,360
Exactly, it's an incredible early warning system

155
00:05:02,360 --> 00:05:05,360
that helps protect the entire forest community.

156
00:05:05,360 --> 00:05:06,440
This is mind blowing.

157
00:05:06,440 --> 00:05:07,280
It really is.

158
00:05:07,280 --> 00:05:08,920
I mean, it's like trees have mastered the art

159
00:05:08,920 --> 00:05:10,400
of communication and cooperation.

160
00:05:10,400 --> 00:05:12,480
We've had millions of years to perfect it.

161
00:05:12,480 --> 00:05:14,600
I know, it's just incredible to think about.

162
00:05:14,600 --> 00:05:16,400
And you know what, this is just the tick of the iceberg.

163
00:05:16,400 --> 00:05:18,080
We've got so much more to explore

164
00:05:18,080 --> 00:05:21,080
in this incredible world of tree communication.

165
00:05:21,080 --> 00:05:22,800
Oh, absolutely, we're just getting started.

166
00:05:22,800 --> 00:05:25,280
So we've been talking about these chemical signals

167
00:05:25,280 --> 00:05:26,880
traveling through the air

168
00:05:26,880 --> 00:05:29,240
and the fungal networks underground.

169
00:05:29,240 --> 00:05:30,560
Yeah, amazing stuff.

170
00:05:30,560 --> 00:05:34,400
It is, but what if I told you that trees have another way

171
00:05:34,400 --> 00:05:36,480
of responding to their surroundings?

172
00:05:36,480 --> 00:05:37,840
Okay, now you're just messing with me.

173
00:05:37,840 --> 00:05:39,640
I'm serious, think about it.

174
00:05:39,640 --> 00:05:40,480
Okay.

175
00:05:40,480 --> 00:05:42,400
A tree branch, it snaps in a storm.

176
00:05:42,400 --> 00:05:44,120
Sad, but it happens.

177
00:05:44,120 --> 00:05:46,480
Right, but this isn't just some random event.

178
00:05:46,480 --> 00:05:47,360
What do you mean?

179
00:05:47,360 --> 00:05:51,040
The tree, it actually senses this damage and it responds.

180
00:05:51,040 --> 00:05:52,760
Much faster than you might think.

181
00:05:52,760 --> 00:05:54,160
Wait, really?

182
00:05:54,160 --> 00:05:56,360
So it's not just those slower signals we talked about.

183
00:05:56,360 --> 00:05:58,360
Exactly, it's a whole other system.

184
00:05:58,360 --> 00:05:59,480
Okay, this is blowing my mind.

185
00:05:59,480 --> 00:06:02,200
So are you telling me trees have nerves or something?

186
00:06:02,200 --> 00:06:07,200
Nerves, not exactly, but they do have these specialized cells

187
00:06:08,120 --> 00:06:10,720
that can transmit electrical signals.

188
00:06:10,720 --> 00:06:12,120
Electrical signals, you mean like

189
00:06:12,120 --> 00:06:13,960
little lightning bolts inside the tree?

190
00:06:13,960 --> 00:06:16,400
Laps, well not quite lightning bolts,

191
00:06:16,400 --> 00:06:17,600
but you're getting the idea.

192
00:06:17,600 --> 00:06:19,600
Okay, so how does this work?

193
00:06:19,600 --> 00:06:22,640
Are there tiny wires running through the branches

194
00:06:22,640 --> 00:06:24,240
I just never noticed before?

195
00:06:24,240 --> 00:06:26,080
No wires needed.

196
00:06:26,080 --> 00:06:29,640
These specialized cells, they create these variations

197
00:06:29,640 --> 00:06:31,320
in electrical potential.

198
00:06:31,320 --> 00:06:34,000
Okay, electrical potential, that sounds complicated.

199
00:06:34,000 --> 00:06:37,160
It's a bit like how our own nerve cells transmit signals,

200
00:06:37,160 --> 00:06:39,040
but maybe not quite as fast.

201
00:06:39,040 --> 00:06:42,240
So when a branch breaks, the tree knows about it instantly.

202
00:06:42,240 --> 00:06:44,080
Pretty much, it's like an internal alarm system.

203
00:06:44,080 --> 00:06:45,840
Hey, we've got damage over here.

204
00:06:45,840 --> 00:06:47,600
And then what, does the tree send out

205
00:06:47,600 --> 00:06:49,080
an ambulance or something?

206
00:06:49,080 --> 00:06:51,640
Laps, not quite, but those signals,

207
00:06:51,640 --> 00:06:54,480
they probably help direct resources to the injured area.

208
00:06:54,480 --> 00:06:55,320
Resources.

209
00:06:55,320 --> 00:06:57,120
Things like hormones, nutrients,

210
00:06:57,120 --> 00:06:58,600
the things trees need to heal.

211
00:06:58,600 --> 00:07:00,000
Wow, that's incredible.

212
00:07:00,000 --> 00:07:03,040
So trees are way more complex than we give them credit for.

213
00:07:03,040 --> 00:07:05,120
Right, it makes you wonder how intelligent

214
00:07:05,120 --> 00:07:06,520
are these organisms really?

215
00:07:06,520 --> 00:07:08,080
I know, it's kind of mind-blowing.

216
00:07:08,080 --> 00:07:10,280
Okay, so back to these electrical signals for a sec.

217
00:07:10,280 --> 00:07:11,560
Do they just stay within the tree

218
00:07:11,560 --> 00:07:13,520
or could they travel to other trees?

219
00:07:13,520 --> 00:07:15,600
Maybe through that wood-wide web we were talking about.

220
00:07:15,600 --> 00:07:18,640
Now, that is the million dollar question.

221
00:07:18,640 --> 00:07:19,960
Ooh, intriguing.

222
00:07:19,960 --> 00:07:21,480
We're still trying to figure that out.

223
00:07:21,480 --> 00:07:22,320
Oh really?

224
00:07:22,320 --> 00:07:24,120
It's like trying to decipher a whole new language.

225
00:07:24,120 --> 00:07:24,960
I bet.

226
00:07:24,960 --> 00:07:26,840
But if these signals can travel between trees,

227
00:07:26,840 --> 00:07:28,000
that would be huge, right?

228
00:07:28,000 --> 00:07:28,840
It's huge.

229
00:07:28,840 --> 00:07:31,560
Imagine a tree experiencing drought stress, for example.

230
00:07:31,560 --> 00:07:33,560
Okay, tough situation for a tree.

231
00:07:33,560 --> 00:07:36,360
It is, but what if that tree could actually send out

232
00:07:36,360 --> 00:07:38,400
a warning signal to others nearby?

233
00:07:38,400 --> 00:07:39,600
Through the network.

234
00:07:39,600 --> 00:07:42,560
Exactly, giving them a head start on conserving water.

235
00:07:42,560 --> 00:07:44,280
Wow, that would be incredible,

236
00:07:44,280 --> 00:07:46,000
like a forest-wide alert system.

237
00:07:46,000 --> 00:07:47,760
Exactly, and that's what's so exciting

238
00:07:47,760 --> 00:07:48,920
about this research.

239
00:07:48,920 --> 00:07:52,400
We're only just beginning to uncover the secrets

240
00:07:52,400 --> 00:07:54,840
of this incredible communication network.

241
00:07:54,840 --> 00:07:56,160
I know, it's like we've discovered

242
00:07:56,160 --> 00:07:58,120
this whole hidden conversation going on

243
00:07:58,120 --> 00:07:59,400
right beneath our feet.

244
00:07:59,400 --> 00:08:01,280
And who knows what other secrets we'll uncover

245
00:08:01,280 --> 00:08:02,760
as we continue to listen.

246
00:08:02,760 --> 00:08:05,160
So we've covered a lot of ground here,

247
00:08:05,160 --> 00:08:07,840
and it's clear that these communication networks

248
00:08:07,840 --> 00:08:09,360
are essential for trees.

249
00:08:09,360 --> 00:08:11,240
Absolutely, it's their lifeline.

250
00:08:11,240 --> 00:08:13,600
But, I hate to bring this up,

251
00:08:13,600 --> 00:08:15,560
but we have to talk about the elephant in the room.

252
00:08:15,560 --> 00:08:16,960
I know where you're going with this.

253
00:08:16,960 --> 00:08:17,960
Human impact.

254
00:08:17,960 --> 00:08:19,800
It's unavoidable, unfortunately.

255
00:08:19,800 --> 00:08:22,280
I mean, we've touched on deforestation, climate change,

256
00:08:22,280 --> 00:08:23,960
all these threats trees are facing.

257
00:08:23,960 --> 00:08:26,800
And these threats, they directly impact

258
00:08:26,800 --> 00:08:29,200
those communication networks we've been talking about.

259
00:08:29,200 --> 00:08:31,920
Right, because it's not just about individual trees anymore,

260
00:08:31,920 --> 00:08:32,880
it's about the whole system.

261
00:08:32,880 --> 00:08:35,000
Exactly, and that's what makes it so important

262
00:08:35,000 --> 00:08:36,360
for us to understand these connections

263
00:08:36,360 --> 00:08:38,240
so we can protect them.

264
00:08:38,240 --> 00:08:40,760
So, where do we go from here?

265
00:08:41,600 --> 00:08:43,760
What can we do to make sure

266
00:08:43,760 --> 00:08:47,080
these incredible communication networks don't go silent?

267
00:08:47,080 --> 00:08:49,840
It's like we've been trying to solve a puzzle for centuries,

268
00:08:49,840 --> 00:08:52,880
but we only just now found the missing piece.

269
00:08:52,880 --> 00:08:55,560
And now that we're starting to see the bigger picture,

270
00:08:55,560 --> 00:08:58,760
we realize how much more there is to learn.

271
00:08:58,760 --> 00:09:00,560
Okay, so we've talked about the science,

272
00:09:00,560 --> 00:09:02,120
we've talked about the threats,

273
00:09:02,120 --> 00:09:04,240
but now, what can we do?

274
00:09:04,240 --> 00:09:06,000
Is there any hope for the future

275
00:09:06,000 --> 00:09:08,440
of these amazing communication networks?

276
00:09:08,440 --> 00:09:09,560
There's always hope,

277
00:09:09,560 --> 00:09:12,200
especially when we arm ourselves with knowledge.

278
00:09:12,200 --> 00:09:16,040
So, knowledge is power when it comes to protecting forests.

279
00:09:16,040 --> 00:09:18,920
Absolutely, and understanding these intricate connections

280
00:09:18,920 --> 00:09:21,200
is a huge step in the right direction.

281
00:09:21,200 --> 00:09:23,120
So it's not just about planting more trees,

282
00:09:23,120 --> 00:09:24,560
it's about planting smarter.

283
00:09:24,560 --> 00:09:26,920
Exactly, imagine if we could use our knowledge

284
00:09:26,920 --> 00:09:30,360
of the wood-wide web to rebuild damaged forests.

285
00:09:30,360 --> 00:09:32,920
So instead of just planting trees randomly,

286
00:09:32,920 --> 00:09:35,960
we need to think about which species will thrive together.

287
00:09:35,960 --> 00:09:38,840
Yes, it's about creating the right conditions

288
00:09:38,840 --> 00:09:40,720
for these connections to flourish.

289
00:09:40,720 --> 00:09:42,960
So we're talking about a more holistic approach

290
00:09:42,960 --> 00:09:43,920
to conservation, right?

291
00:09:43,920 --> 00:09:45,680
Like seeing the whole forest

292
00:09:45,680 --> 00:09:47,640
as this interconnected web of life.

293
00:09:47,640 --> 00:09:51,360
Exactly, and it's not just about large-scale efforts either.

294
00:09:51,360 --> 00:09:52,520
We can all play a part in this.

295
00:09:52,520 --> 00:09:54,240
Okay, I like where this is going.

296
00:09:54,240 --> 00:09:57,840
So what can we do in our own backyards, in our communities,

297
00:09:57,840 --> 00:09:59,360
to help support these networks?

298
00:09:59,360 --> 00:10:01,600
Well, one simple thing is to plant a variety

299
00:10:01,600 --> 00:10:02,880
of native tree species.

300
00:10:02,880 --> 00:10:04,120
So diversity is key.

301
00:10:04,120 --> 00:10:06,280
Absolutely, the more diverse the trees

302
00:10:06,280 --> 00:10:08,200
in your yard or neighborhood,

303
00:10:08,200 --> 00:10:11,040
the more potential there is for connection and communication.

304
00:10:11,040 --> 00:10:12,120
Got it.

305
00:10:12,120 --> 00:10:13,520
So instead of a monoculture,

306
00:10:13,520 --> 00:10:16,280
we want a multi-species neighborhood

307
00:10:16,280 --> 00:10:17,840
where everyone can connect.

308
00:10:17,840 --> 00:10:20,640
Precisely, and here's another cool thing you can do.

309
00:10:20,640 --> 00:10:22,640
You know about those incredible fungal networks

310
00:10:22,640 --> 00:10:23,480
we talked about.

311
00:10:23,480 --> 00:10:24,800
Oh yeah, the highways of the forest floor.

312
00:10:24,800 --> 00:10:27,920
Exactly, well, did you know that using wood chips

313
00:10:27,920 --> 00:10:30,440
or mulch in your garden can actually help

314
00:10:30,440 --> 00:10:32,600
those fungi thrive?

315
00:10:32,600 --> 00:10:35,120
No way, so I'm not just tidying up my garden,

316
00:10:35,120 --> 00:10:37,400
I'm actually laying down the welcome mat

317
00:10:37,400 --> 00:10:38,600
for those fungal networks.

318
00:10:38,600 --> 00:10:41,040
Exactly, every little bit helps, right?

319
00:10:41,040 --> 00:10:43,080
And of course, supporting organizations

320
00:10:43,080 --> 00:10:45,520
that are working to protect existing forests

321
00:10:45,520 --> 00:10:47,800
and combat deforestation, that's crucial.

322
00:10:47,800 --> 00:10:49,640
Right, because those ancient forests,

323
00:10:49,640 --> 00:10:51,840
they're like the libraries of the forest world,

324
00:10:51,840 --> 00:10:54,480
storing all that precious knowledge and connection.

325
00:10:54,480 --> 00:10:55,720
They're irreplaceable.

326
00:10:55,720 --> 00:10:59,400
These forests, with their intricate communication networks,

327
00:10:59,400 --> 00:11:02,120
are vital, not just for the trees themselves,

328
00:11:02,120 --> 00:11:05,200
but for the health of our entire planet.

329
00:11:05,200 --> 00:11:07,160
You know, this whole conversation has me thinking,

330
00:11:07,160 --> 00:11:08,000
Yeah, me too.

331
00:11:08,000 --> 00:11:10,680
It's like we've stumbled upon this incredible secret,

332
00:11:10,680 --> 00:11:12,440
this hidden language that's been whispering

333
00:11:12,440 --> 00:11:14,360
all around us for millennia.

334
00:11:14,360 --> 00:11:16,200
And now we're finally starting to listen.

335
00:11:16,200 --> 00:11:18,680
Exactly, we're beginning to understand

336
00:11:18,680 --> 00:11:20,920
that we're not just visitors in this world,

337
00:11:20,920 --> 00:11:23,160
we're part of this intricate web of life,

338
00:11:23,160 --> 00:11:24,560
just like the trees.

339
00:11:24,560 --> 00:11:26,000
It's a humbling thought, isn't it?

340
00:11:26,000 --> 00:11:28,760
It is, but it's also incredibly inspiring,

341
00:11:28,760 --> 00:11:30,960
because once we start to see these connections,

342
00:11:30,960 --> 00:11:33,200
we realize that even small actions

343
00:11:33,200 --> 00:11:34,600
can have a ripple effect.

344
00:11:34,600 --> 00:11:36,720
So planting a tree in your backyard,

345
00:11:36,720 --> 00:11:39,320
supporting a conservation organization,

346
00:11:39,320 --> 00:11:40,760
even just spreading the word

347
00:11:40,760 --> 00:11:43,480
about this amazing communication network,

348
00:11:43,480 --> 00:11:44,360
it all adds up.

349
00:11:44,360 --> 00:11:46,440
Exactly, every little bit of effort

350
00:11:46,440 --> 00:11:47,920
brings us closer to a future

351
00:11:47,920 --> 00:11:50,280
where both humans and trees can thrive.

352
00:11:50,280 --> 00:11:52,720
It's a future I'm excited to work towards.

353
00:11:52,720 --> 00:11:54,720
Well, that about wraps up our deep dive

354
00:11:54,720 --> 00:11:57,760
into the fascinating world of tree communication.

355
00:11:57,760 --> 00:12:00,000
We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.

356
00:12:00,000 --> 00:12:01,480
It's been an incredible journey.

357
00:12:01,480 --> 00:12:02,560
It really has.

358
00:12:02,560 --> 00:12:04,280
And remember, the next time you find yourself

359
00:12:04,280 --> 00:12:06,800
walking through a forest, take a moment to just pause

360
00:12:06,800 --> 00:12:07,760
and listen.

361
00:12:07,760 --> 00:12:10,160
You might be surprised by what you hear.

362
00:12:10,160 --> 00:12:13,600
Until next time, keep exploring, stay curious,

363
00:12:13,600 --> 00:12:15,320
and remember, even in silence,

364
00:12:15,320 --> 00:12:35,120
there's always more to learn.