The Hidden Life of Trees - Peter Wohlleben - ★★★★.¼

AUTHOR: Peter Wohlleben

GENRE: Nature Nonfiction.

RATING: 4.25 stars.

As humans, in no other year has it been more important than in 2020 to look at the impact of our actions on the environment. It is easy to blame a virus for bringing the world to a standstill, but if we think about it, we humans have been the biggest parasites for Mother Nature, sucking everything out of her like a leech and then complaining if she hits us back with cyclones or forest fires.

Let us all be more conscious of our actions now onwards. After all, Earth doesn't need us, but we need Earth. So we need to be more environmentally aware and environmentally responsible. Else, we'll soon join the league of extinct creatures. Let's today vow to leave a better planet for our children. Every step counts! Every human action matters!

One of the most ignored aspects in terms of environment are trees. In Mumbai, every year, people complain that trees fall during the monsoon and there is a big hue and cry over the BMC not maintaining trees properly. But who is at fault? There is hardly any earth left amid the concrete for trees to build a strong foundation. Their branches are chopped off lopsided, all in the guise of monsoon preparation. Infrastructure projects readily expect trees to be sacrificed, all for the supposed greater good of humanity. But we forget, we are here because of trees. If you take out trees from the natural equation, you are signing your own death certificate.

But even if you appreciate trees, you would hardly ever look at them as living breathing creatures. You wouldn't consider them communicating with each other, you won't imagine then making decisions. Once you read this wonderful book though, I guarantee that you will not look at trees the same way again.

Peter Wollehban nicely deconstructs the idea of trees, exposing their innermost secrets to us. Right from their social interactions to their support systems, Wollehban deftly presents the story behind the woody curtains.

The book is erudite in essence but the writing is absolutely captivating. If you enjoy reading nature-based books, then this would be a wonderful addition to your collection. Until then, here's a quote from the same book to give us all food for thought:

"An organism that is too greedy and takes too much without giving anything in return destroys what it needs for life."