Hemlock and Black Birch seem very compatible in these woods near Dean Brook. I’ve seen them joined like this in other spots nearby.
As more is learned about the ecology of forests and soil in general it is becoming more apparent that trees communicate through their roots and also through the mycelium of fungi in the ground. I’ve seen other examples of this growth behavior. This one is in Acadia N.P.
If you’d like to learn more about the Wood Wide Web, here is a Ted Talk with Dr. Suzanne Simard who has been pivotal in the research and discovery of tree communication.
It’s brighter if you click to enlarge and really does look like they’re holding limbs.
Stephen Gingold Nature Photography Blog 
Well spotted, Steve. I’m immediately reminded of the old folk song “The Bramble and the Rose” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyGKjPMLEYE
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Never heard that song before. Thanks for sharing.
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“Wood wide web” is a good alliterative coinage.
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Wish I could take credit for it.
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I have been reading about this, but how amazing to see trees connecting above ground! I haven’t seen that here in the woods around me but the tree assemblages here don’t feel ancient, somehow. More happenstance, if you will. Like strangers in an elevator. And so I suspect the underground connections here are not as pronounced as in other places. I have seen mycelia threading their way from plant to plant above ground on the dunes at Illinois Beach State Park, where the plant association does indeed reach back through time.
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What happens out of our view is indeed amazing and most often magical as well. There is an astonishing amount of life below the earth’s surface with literally millions of little critters in a small amount of soil. People have no idea, most of ’em anyway, and that is why I posted on FB that trophy lawns are ecological genocide. So is raking up fallen autumn leaves in the spring. 🙂
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I agree so much, and sadly it isn’t a message people are ready to hear. I was just giving some favorite neighbors a gentle nudge about native plants for their yard, and I could feel them stiffen their resistance. sigh.
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“Ecological genocide” may make true believers feel good, but that kind of language isn’t useful when trying to persuade people to try a different way. ‘Genocide’ applies to people — see ‘genealogy’ or ‘genetics’ — and it bothers me to see it used this way. Just me!
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I didn’t use the phrase to feel good nor am I aware of anyone else using it. A shortened word would be ecocide which can include genocide. I used it in reference to genomes, not all of which are human, and consider it appropriate for what we do to the ground and it’s inhabitants of which there are millions in a cubic yard of earth. Healthy soil has such numbers. Herbicide and insecticide treated lawns and fields do not. I’m sorry you are offended by my use of genocide in this way but I feel it’s useful in making a point.
Now I do agree that it would put some people off but I felt most who visit here would understand where I am coming from.
As far as what’s in the soil I recommend Life in the Soil: A Guide for Naturalists and Gardeners https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002R0DR2O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_5SMZVE02CE7DRF1V4CXV.
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I’m not offended. It’s just a phrase I wouldn’t chose to use. In fact, ‘true believers’ wasn’t quite the right choice of words, either; both are loaded with connotations that can blur meaning.
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Well, in that case I withdraw my apology for offending and instead offer it for misinterpreting. 😀
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That is a really interesting science. Another study was looking at what was happening in the canopies.
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Humans are too worried about what is happening right around them without much concern for what happens out of sight. There is so much life that we are not aware of.
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I’m glad you saw this rather than trip on it! The world of living things is fascinating!
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Me too, Alessandra. This is one a slope so a trip would have been a long one. The learning about life on our planet is neverending.
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Great catch, Steve. The Hidden Life of Trees, by Peter Wohlleben, is one of my favorite books.
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I enjoyed that book, started rereading it a short time ago. He has two other similar books that I have yet to read. Thanks, Eliza!
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It is a strange coincidence that I am reading a book by the German author Peter Wohlleben entitled Das Geheime Leben der Bäume (The Secret Life of Trees). The trees communicate through a complex network of their root system and by giving off aromas to warn other trees of danger and protect each other.
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What a fascinating post, Steve! Terrific photograph of the phenomenon.
Now, I’ll be on the alert to see if I can spot something similar.
My head is now filled with images of Tolkien’s “Ents” in our local swamp……
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Maybe ents like these swinging to the dance of forest life. I hope you find a couple, Wally. Thanks!
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Wow, this is remarkable. While I have heard about the wonderful communication between trees, I don’t remember ever seeing two different species hold each other’s limbs. Thank you for opening my eyes.
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I am not sure whether I think this happens “consciously” or simply because of nature’s randomness but either way I do find it remarkable.
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There is still so much we don’t understand!
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Which continues to make life interesting for those of us who appreciate nature rather than gathering wealth.
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I first heard of mycelium a couple of years ago: about the same time I learned to distinguish between dirt and soil. It’s no mistake that one of the best-regarded companies around here is named “Living Earth Technologies.” Eventually, I began to understand parasitic and hemiparasitic plants, and all of the underground magic they perform. This image is a perfect metaphor for that activity, and visually pleasing as well!
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What amazes me about science is that no matter how much we know, or think we know, there is always more to learn. Thanks, Linda!
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Very interesting and revealing post – and I enjoyed the linked TED Talk. Thanks for sharing the insight!
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Glad that you enjoyed the post, Sam. Thanks!
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It really is such a fascinating topic, the idea there are all these different species able to communicate without our noticing. I also love how some species are potentially so much larger than we realize, such as fungi and I recall recently learning about a tree species like that, where the entire grove or that part of the forest was thought to actually be one organism instead of many distinct trees. I might have learned about it from you.
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The trees you are thinking of are/is likely aspen and they are all a clone of one. The mushroom has been given the cute title of “humongous fungus” and is a honey mushroom, Armillaria..
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Very Nice Steve! Great Image!
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Thanks, Reed!
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Wonderful texture and B&W conversion!
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Thanks! I’ve found a few of these connections over the years. Some more romantic than others. 🙂
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