Mother Trees and the Social Forest | Suzanne Simard (Talk + Q&A)

Forest Ecologist Suzanne Simard reveals that trees are part of a complex, interdependent circle of life; that forests are social, cooperative creatures connected through underground mycorrhizal networks by which trees communicate their vitality and vulnerabilities, and share and exchange resources and support.
Simard's extraordinary research and tenacious efforts to raise awareness on the interconnectedness of forest systems, both above and below ground, has revolutionized our understanding of forest ecology. This increasing knowledge is driving a call for more sustainable practices in forestry and land management, ones that develop strategies based on the forest as a whole entity, not on trees as isolated individuals.
"Mother Trees and the Social Forest" was given on June 15, 02021 as part of Long Now's Seminar series. The series was started in 02003 to build a compelling body of ideas about long-term thinking from some of the world's leading thinkers. The Seminars take place in San Francisco and are curated and hosted by Stewart Brand. To follow the talks, you can:
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[@petrichor649]

I'm lucky to live near ancient forest, huge ancient oak trees, some over 500 years old, spreading Beeches, interlaced with Silver Birch, Hazel, Blackthorn, Ash, Rowan it's a Cathederal.

[@7paulwaters]

I watched this today, thinking of you a lot!!

[@sasquatchwizardadirondacks7710]

My name is Jonathan. I have been working on a project called “ TREE BREAKS DECODED “ For reasons unrelated to Suzanne’s work, I began searching for reasons why 1” to 6” diameter Trees in the Adirondack Park of New York State, snap off at approximately 6’ to 15’ with no apparent environmental effects such as, Wind, Snow, Fire and or Disease. I don’t have the education and am 50 years old, but I have been studying the subject and have discovered the effects Fungus and Bacteria have on our Forest. This has unexpectedly taken ahold of me. I grew up a Native Adirondacker. My Grampa and Dad both spoke very poorly about the APA ( Adirondack Park Agency ). So I too, strongly felt the APA and Tree Huggers should go away and stop telling us what and where us natives can build, camp, hunt or whatever it may be. My life, as well as my mind set has changed dramatically. I now understand us humans have a huge negative impact on our forest . I have realized tree disease is prominent closer to public trails, I realize how any one person could accidentally bring an invasive species into an uninflected forest. What started as myself researching the possibility that a unclassified, large, hair covered humanoid could or does reside here in the Adirondack Park, has taken me into a love for the forest I’d never knew existed. Suzanne, God Bless You and all your work! People like you change the world for the better. I am honored to have come across your work. Good luck in all you do!

[@magdalenaflynn2186]

I love Dr Suzanne 😍 Thank you for all your work ❤️In some way, you have changed my life.

[@patrickburling1849]

Her book is great 👍 Definitely worth the read‼️

[@Trinhnguyen714]

So just realized, its heard, when a tree fall... even when no one is around... after all... Great information.

[@azzamismail2091]

Amazing talk and discussion

[@raymondjones7489]

Very informative!!!..thank you very much!!👍👍😎

[@dianabliss1142]

Thank you for your work!

[@raymondjones7489]

Awesome!!!... I love it!!!👍👍😎

[@ShrekMeBe]

Thought provoking, on many levels... Would it actually help tree planting with small patches of these fungi intertwined? Especially in semi-arid areas. Does this symbiosis even work where water is scarce? Better said, does it work well enough to benefit a forest to take hold over some pasture or field where non irrigating agriculture barely yeilds?

[@devin_3875]

You just produced some top level and relevant hypothesis generation, here! I’m in drought prone California, and thinking a lot about the same questions. It does seem to me, there’s a major “water privilege” bias amongst the people who talk about these sorts of things. ;) But as climate change continues to make things weird - studying this stuff in the context of drought is RELEVANT. I think you’ll enjoy the work of Dr. Elaine Ingham and Christine Jones - are you acquainted with them? *** edit: autocorrect ***

[@blackrebelradio9879]

Good morning 🌞.

[@tonyelders9882]

Do you think this occurs in the boreal forest as well to the same extent with less biodiversity? Is any one working on this?

[@fayedavies6820]

Lopped their fingers off.

[@iVenge]

It’s called *British Columbia.* Full stop.

[@Trinhnguyen714]

Please do say more...? don't stop yet...

[@cumulusterraticus3446]

I know but you dont !

[@damianjones5986]

I love everything EXCEPT the notion we have to move tree species, thats insane and not how mumma nature works. This is what annoyed me about aboriculture, this idea is so flawed I cant understand how anyone could promote it.

[@MrShekoexile]

As climate change accelerates you'll see the hot, arid reaches of the forest wiped out. Moving into cooler areas will be the only way it will survive. Inconvenient truth.