It may appear that roots growing above ground can make a tree unstable and susceptible to high winds. But botanists have recently discovered there’s also something positive occurring. The tree needs oxygen to grow, and the roots are actually reaching up through the thick dark forest to capture its share, even at some risk to its own survival.
But even more interesting is that botanists believe that trees form a communications network, and they share nutrients and soil information with each other through that network of root structures – above and below ground. Exchanging that information helps trees respond to climate stress like drought, atmospheric change and new insect pests.
“The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.” ~ John Muir
