Do trees communicate underground?

Separate the science from the hype: how trees, fungi, and chemical signals interact.

The short answer

Trees interact with their surroundings in many ways. Roots can respond to chemical signals, and many plants form relationships with mycorrhizal fungi, which help them obtain nutrients in exchange for sugars.

What about the 'wood wide web'?

Fungal networks can connect roots, and studies have documented movement of substances between plants under some conditions. But popular claims that trees routinely send intentional warnings or preferentially nurture their offspring through these networks go beyond what research has firmly established.

The surprising connection: ecosystems as networks

Forests are shaped by cooperation, competition, soil chemistry, fungi, water, and light. Thinking in networks can reveal connections while still leaving room for scientific uncertainty.

Try it

Compare trees growing in a sunny clearing with those under a dense canopy. Consider how access to light and water might shape their growth.