Library patrons seeking more information could be easily directed to the book or other similar titles on botany or ecology. It is slow and methodical, much like its subjects, and doesn’t overwhelm with information focusing instead on natural beauty.

This is a lite-documentary in a way that will hold the attention of those who normally don’t enjoy documentaries. This is not a documentary in the ‘getting information to you’ sense so much as the documentation of the mechanics of nature and a newer way of understanding them. While the lack of accompanying information or infographics throughout the film was disappointing, letting Wohlleben and nature tell their own stories through breathtaking cinema all but made up for it. With excellent sound design and fantastic cinematography and editing, The Hidden Life of Trees won’t fail to capture and keep attention. This title would be perfect for Earth Day or Arbor Day library programming. Other notable stars from the book make appearances including a stand of three trees outside a German burg and the eldest tree in the world. Slice-of-life style documentation paired with Wohlleben’s shy demeanor and nerdy enthusiasm create a sense of understanding for the man behind the book. The educational documentary focuses much more on Wohlleben, his experiences, and his activities. The book goes into great depth about the interconnectivity of trees to each other and the plants, fungi, and other varied life they exchange with to create forests as well as how humans can impact the health, growth, and evolution of these forests. While it would be safe to assume both the book and the documentary The Hidden Life of Trees would be the same, it is a surprisingly incorrect assumption.

German Forester Peter Wohlleben gained a lot of attention after the publishing of his 2015 international bestseller The Hidden Life of Trees.

The life of trees book