the hidden life of trees

a very interesting book came up – the hidden life of trees, author peter wholleben, publishers penguin.

it is about european forests of north and central europe. the species mentinoned are oak, pine, spruce, beech, etc. most of them unknown to india.

but the description is arresting. here is an example.

“just like us, woodpeckers want a place where they bring up their families to be solid and durable. the birds are well equipped to hammer away at healthy wood. it would be too much for them to complete the job at once (the bark is thick). so they take months long break, hoping that fungi will pitch in.

as far as fungii are concerned, this is the invitation they have been waiting for because they cannot get past the bark. they quickly move into the opening and begin to break down the wood. what the tree sees as a coordinated attack , the woodpecker sees as a division of labour. after a while, the wood fibre are so mushy that it is much easier for the woodpecker to enlarge the hole.

finally the day comes when the construction is complete but the woodpecker is not satisfied with one. he uses one for the kids, one for sleeping and the others for change of scene.

each year these are renovated because the fungii are unstoppable. they keep eating deeper into the truck, and make it mushy, not ideal environment to raise a family. “  (page 153)