FactSentinel

Trees do indeed communicate with each other through underground fungal networks, a phenomenon that has been extensively documented by forest ecologists over the past several decades. These networks, formed by mycorrhizal fungi, connect the root systems of multiple trees and plants, creating what scientists call the "wood wide web." The fungi form symbiotic relationships with tree roots, where the fungi receive sugars from the trees while helping trees absorb water and nutrients from the soil. Through these fungal threads, called hyphae, trees can transfer carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and even chemical warning signals to neighboring trees.

Research led by forest ecologist Suzanne Simard and others has demonstrated that mature "mother trees" can nurture younger seedlings by sharing resources through these networks, particularly when the seedlings are shaded and struggling to photosynthesize. Studies using radioactive carbon isotopes have tracked the movement of nutrients between trees, proving that this exchange is not merely theoretical but measurable. Additionally, when trees are attacked by insects or disease, they can send chemical alarm signals through the fungal network, prompting neighboring trees to increase their production of defensive compounds.

This communication system appears to be particularly important in forest ecosystems, where it helps maintain forest health and resilience. The networks can span vast areas, with a single fungal network potentially connecting dozens or even hundreds of trees across different species, though trees tend to share more readily with their own species and close relatives.