Finding the Mother Tree: Discovering the Wisdom of the Forest

This is a fascinating book about the interconnected community of trees; how they can communicate and care for each other, and the amazing things that the author Suzanne Simard has learned in her years of studying the forest ecosystem.Simard grabbed my attention right away in the Introduction, with the information that the complex underground fungal communication network that trees use to share information, bears a striking resemblance to the structure of the synapses and nodes of the human brain. She mentions that the chemicals that the trees use to communicate are identical to our own neurotransmitters. When you consider the level of communication, and ability to share information about potential danger, it really seems as though humans need to rethink their perception of trees and the entire forest ecosystem.The book has 15 chapters, and about 300 pages, and describes Simard's own personal journey that led to amazing groundbreaking scientific discoveries. There is quite a bit of information about the life cycles and networks of trees and fungi, and I'm still trying to absorb all of it. I will probably have to go back and read this a few times. There are also some beautiful pictures of forest environments, some in color and some black and white.I appreciate Simard for her unique dedication to the forest, and her contributions to science. This book really has me excited to do more research about this topic.

How many Is can an author use in one page? The book is not about her study of trees and fungi. It is not how trees communicate. It is simply a diary during the time she was researching. “I stared out of the window; I was alone, I told him, Dad and I, I discovered, I biked, I now knew....” each page is covered with Is besides grandmothers, Daughters, husband... Was there an editor for this book? So much expectation, no substance. Wish I could have my money back. It is all about her Makes you think how good of a scientist such a poor writer can be.

Simard is the real life forest biologist that inspired Richard Powers’ character in The Overstory , Patricia Westerford. Her years of breakthrough research into the sentience and interconnection of trees and subterranean fungi and each other is foundational for humans to get over the arrogance that is killing this beautiful planet and move toward regeneration.

Contrary to that other Canadian Rock Star group Rush, and their song “The Trees”Suzanne Rock Star shows the real song of nature. Even though I love Rush, Suzanne actually did the science so I love her more.Humor aside, I loved this book! It’s not like other science books I have been reading in that it’s a first-person memoir and amazing adventure along with the amazingly creative and revealing science. Her family and friends spark poignant reminisces of life challenges we all face. Some of it brought tears because underground we are all like the trees in her studies. We face struggles and prejudice and heartaches. This was an awesome story and awesome science about a girl in a forest who grew up to change the world.I believe all life on earth is really one and the apparent conflicts of our surface lives mask a deeper cooperative meaning for all life across time like a larger version of epigenetics. Most of the cells of a human (in sheer numbers) are cooperating bacteria. Lynn Margulis was ridiculed because she emphasized the cooperative force of evolution. In the same vein, Suzanne is tirelessly revealing the larger cooperative “brain” of the forest ecosystem. This is to me, a revolutionary act. One much needed if we are to understand the realities of the world, and the true forces of nature which sustain us.I took a couple of pictures that are very meaningful with reference to this book. The first is a cell tower at my storage. It’s basically a communication tower made to look like a tree which is strangely and miraculously appropriate. You will fully understand why when you read this book. This is the kind of book that enriches lives. The other picture is me out running in the forests west of Silicon Valley, and actually hugging a tree because LOVE.

It seems the writer and/or editor felt the fascinating subject of trees and their fungal connections was too dry. Apparently unable to write well about science while making it interesting, instead they relied on a surfeit of ploys to generate human interest. It's a soap opera set in varied anthropomorphized forest settings where one pats trees on the bark and where the ever passing wildlife understands and communicates with author who conflates scientific findings with big picture hypotheses she wishes ongoing research will prove true. The first chapters provide interesting history of her ancestor's British Colombia logging lifestyle, including building and living on a houseboat, approximately a century ago. After that, though, it's just a long slog without too much science but instead family history, including plain vanilla views and behaviors one would expect from an academic, certainly well-lived lives about which the reader cares about, but not exceptional material that merits a book that unfortunately is too devoid of fascinating scientific information about tree-fungal networks - better to read something else if that is what piques your interest in this book.

A book I have been looking forward to and it did not disappoint. Professor Simard writes a memoir, journey of discovery and scientific book fur the layman in a very beautiful way. The symbiotic reaction ship between the tres and the mycelia networks was fascinating to learn.

This took me back to the forests of BC, and the terrible devastation wrought by clear-cut logging. The book is a vindication of a truly scientific, yet generous approach to human symbiosis with the wonderful world in which we live.Initially I wasn't quite sure about Suzanne Simard's writing style, but as I persisted she grew on me as sympatiqe and insightful. The account is also written as a biography both of the trees that Simard loves, and makes me love even more, and her family. I started slowly, but as I read further I simply couldn't get enough.She reminds me of writers like John Muir, and Aldo Leopold, or a scientist like Rachel Carson. She has given absolutely riveting TED Talks, and collaborated with Peter Wohlleben, another forester with great insights. I'd even suggest a strong 'feminist' flavour in the book, and certainly an empathy for traditional First Nation's practices.Altogether, a wonderful read!

A quite extraordinary tale of underground nature, and the interconnectedness of trees and fungi, interwoven with the author's struggle for research recognition against a male-oriented society protective of the established order.Well written and an easy read - despite the potential complexity of the subject matter - this is an uplifting tale of nature and real-life mimicking each other.A fabulous and enjoyable story of success in the face of adversity - both in the author's life and the fungi serving the trees.Instantly engaging, hugely rewarding.

The amount of field science detail could get dry if not woven in a tale of family life in the mountains of British Columbia. This is a non-fiction natural history told in the style of historical fiction. Joys and tears are not common reactions to non-fiction natural histories. The final 20% of the book gets a bit tedious in the probably requisite tale of Ms Simard's health challenges and life changes. Still, definitely worth the read and a recommendation. Besides, a book with an index and a citation of sources? What's not to like? You'd think it was written by a scientist.

This book is full of fascinating information about the life of trees and other plants, the biology overlapping into the domains of philosophy and spirituality. I found the style took me some time to become accustomed to, poised between a scientific journal diluted for the lay reader (like me), and an autobiography. But this is an account by the woman whose work inspired the novel "Overstory", and that alone is a powerful reason for reading it.

This is a brilliant work, part biography, part detective story and packed with amazing discoveries regarding what is happening beneath the surface of the forests soil...Very highly recommended.