“The Hidden Life of Trees” is a book written by Peter Wohlleben.  Published in 2015, the book is Wohlleben’s account of how trees communicate with one another and interact with their environment.  Peter Wohlleben had been fascinated with trees for his entire life and involved in environmental protection and forestry for over 30 years.  Wohlleben began writing books in 2007 about the relationships between trees and the ecosystem.  “The Forest: An Obituary” and “Forest Without Guardians: In the Stranglehold of Hunting Interests and Forestry” were some of his earliest works.  Despite releasing 15 books previous to “The Hidden Life of Trees”, Wohlleben only first found true success on the latter title.  Selling a million copies in Germany and over 3 million worldwide, he gained international fame over his scientific conclusions that trees were similar to families in a sense that they supported other trees and their ecosystem in more complex ways then previously known.  Wohlleben’s delivery of this information to a mainstream audience was unprecedented and his writing elicited an emotional reaction from readers that created a newfound sense of care and sympathy for a previously overlooked form of life.

In 2020, “The Hidden Life of Trees” was turned into a studio production and released to audiences.  The film was followed by extreme praise, and it was acclaimed worldwide.  Audiences were pleased to find that their preconceived notions of a story about the science behind trees being dull did not ring true to the film.  Through its engaging and simplistic delivery and stunning visuals, the film brought more attention than ever before to Wohlleben’s message and discoveries.  Wohlleben takes audiences through various locations ranging from Germany to Poland to Vancouver.  He highlights environmental injustices and cites specific locations where trees are being harmed.  One example mentioned in the film is the examination of a tree that lines a German city street.  Surrounded by concrete and disconnected with its ecosystem, he explains that the tree will not have a long lifespan due to the concrete surrounding its roots and isolating it from other trees.  We know this is important because earlier in the film, he explains how trees support each other by passing nutrients through their roots to keep older trees within close proximity from dying.  Wohlleben’s decision to emphasize how trees are similar to humans creates a raw and emotional response from viewers and readers alike.  This method of delivering scientific information succeeds in generating attention society gives to conserving forests and increases awareness given to sustainability.

Sources:

Moor, Robert. “The German Forester Who Wants the World to Idolize Trees.” The New Yorker, 10 June 2021, https://www.newyorker.com/books/under-review/the-german-forester-who-wants-the-world-to-idolize-trees

Girish, Devika. “’The Hidden Life of Trees’ Review: Magic Kingdom.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 15 July 2021, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/15/movies/the-hidden-life-of-trees-review.html.

Poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Composition by Franz Schubert

“Erlkönig” is a poem that was originally written by the famous German author Goethe in 1782, but arguably more popular is the musical composition by Franz Schubert, which takes Goethe’s poem and puts it to music.

The story follows a young boy and his father. The young child, simply referred to as “der Kind”, has fallen ill, and his father (der Vater) as they ride on horseback through the forest. The child is frightened, as he believes they are being chased by the Erlkönig, though the father says there is nothing following them. The Erlkönig attempts to coerce the child with promises of games and beautiful flowers. The father cannot ride fast enough, and the Erlkönig reaches out to grasp the child; they eventually reach their destination, but the father discovers his son is dead. 

Goethe’s early work clearly defined the Sturm und Drang period. Translating to “storm and stress,” was a German artistic movement preceding Romanticism that focused on the realities of life, extreme emotional states, and tragedies. This is clear in “Erlkönig” with the death of the young child. 

One of the biggest German aspects of the poem is the fact that it takes place in a forest. Germany has a long history with the forest, as it was heavily featured in early fairytales, studied during early environmentalism, and focused on by German scholars today. In traditional German fairytales, the forest was associated with danger and mystery. Often, antagonists of the stories would live in the forest, such as the witch in Hansel and Gretel. This is true in “Erlkönig”, as the Erlkönig lives and “attacks” in the forest. Even the father, who cannot see the Erlkönig, describes the forest as ominous. 

The ending of the poem can be interpreted through a climate activism standpoint. The forest and the Erlkönig represent climate change, and how the rapid deterioration of the planet is catching up with humanity. If the harm to the planet becomes irreversible, we may not have a future generation: represented by the death of the child. The poem ends with the word “dead,” showing how there is no action after the death of the climate and the future generations.

Though written hundreds of years ago, “Erlkönig” can teach readers about the history of the forest and perhaps creates a sense of urgency to pursue climate justice. Also, it is easier for people to understand complex topics through emotions, rather than a scientific paper.

References:

Boyle, Nicholas. “Johann Wolfgang von Goethe”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Mar. 2023, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Johann-Wolfgang-von-Goethe. Accessed 17 April 2023.

Britannica, the Editors of Encyclopaedia. “The Erl-King”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Feb. 2015, https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Erl-King. Accessed 17 April 2023.

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “Sturm und Drang”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Mar. 2020, https://www.britannica.com/event/Sturm-und-Drang. Accessed 17 April 2023.

von Goethe, Johann Wolfgang. “Erlkönig.” 1782. Oxford Lieder, https://www.oxfordlieder.co.uk/song/1420. Accessed 17 April 2023.