The Trees Are Talking
By: Edie Tuck
Tags: Folklore, Trees, Predictions, Nature, Communication

( Photo by George Dsilva from Pexels)

Trees turning their backs to the sky: Rain is coming

Who needs the weather channel? Yes, it might be considered an old wives tale, or folklore, but the fact remains that leaves can be our most accurate indication that rain is on the way.

This has actually been backed and explained by science, as noted by this article in the Farmer’s Almanac.

“ The leaves are actually reacting to the sudden increase in humidity that usually precedes a storm. Leaves with soft stems can become limp in response to abrupt changes in humidity, allowing the wind to flip them over.”

I don’t need science to tell me this is fact, however, as I’ve witnessed this amazing phenomenon all my life. As a child, it was one of the first lessons my grandmother taught me that stuck in my little sponge-like child’s brain. I remember getting excited then — and I still do, I won’t lie — at able to predict the weather just by looking at the trees.

Since they’re reacting to the high levels of humidity in the air, the forecast can sometimes be wrong, especially on really humid days during the summer, but those instances are far and few between in my experience.

I will always listen to the tree’s warning and pack my umbrella if they’re turning their back to the sky (kind of like we do when we’re caught in the rain!)

Trees holding on to their leaves in the fall: A hard winter is ahead

Although scientists have found many reasons why deciduous trees hold on to their leaves in the fall, such as the tree being sexually immature or suffering from Marcescence. However, many of us believe differently.

When we feel cold weather coming, we like to bundle up in layers and be warm and cosy; it would only make sense that the trees would want to do the same.

When I see trees hanging on to their leaves, it tells me that I should expect a long and hard winter ahead. Funny enough, I mentioned it to a co-worker today and she told me that the Farmer’s Almanac is actually calling for such a winter this year… and lo and behold, trees are clinging on to those leaves for dear life! Mind you, I do live in Canada, and winters are usually long and hard for the most part. I’m pretty sure we have five months of road construction and seven months of winter.

I think I’m going to hold on to my leaves for a little while too!

Trees talk to each other

Not only do trees communicate with us, but they also communicate with one another. With all of the advancements science has made throughout the last century, we’re only now beginning to really understand trees as living entities.

In this article on Smithsonian Mag, Richard Grant explains how German forester and tree-whisperer Peter Wohlleben has come to a deep understanding of trees and their language. Grant talks about the intricate web of community among trees and describes them in the same way one would describe humans and their dependent relationships on one another.

“They are very considerate in sharing the sunlight, and their root systems are closely connected. In cases like this, when one dies, the other usually dies soon afterward, because they are dependent on each other.” — Richard Grant

( Photo by mali maeder from Pexels)

Trees are not lonely singular entities as we have long believed, but rather they are part of a living, breathing eco-system that thrives both above and below the soil of our forests. They are essential to our survival, but we are detrimental to theirs.

Humanity could really stand to take a few lessons from our forest friends, like how to work together as a community, supporting and embracing one another in all of our diversity. Adapting to our surroundings and choosing to make the best of whatever circumstance throws our way, and thriving within our environments, becoming a part of them. Standing tall, proud and strong in our determination, and yet always staying humble, reaching out a hand (or a limb) to help out those around us. Oh… and communicate!