Are Trees Intelligent?
The question above: ‘Are Trees Intelligent’ isn’t one of those impossible-to-answer existential questions, but a very real one—whose answer shifts depending on how we, as humans, choose to see it. I believe the answer matters. When trees are not seen as intelligent, they become easier to dismiss, easier to exploit, and easier to destroy. Forests and complex…
When an Ancient Tree Isn’t Really That Ancient
The first time I ever saw a giant sequoia was in July 2024, in Giant Forest, California — on a climbing trip with Ancient Forest Society to help canopy scientists understand how they are affected by fire and drought. By saw, I don’t mean in the casual sense of seeing a cat or a car.…
Why I Chose to Become an Arborist
If you’d told me ten years ago that I’d be climbing giant trees for a living, with a head full of wonder, I probably would’ve hugged you because you’d have single-handedly given me the solution to a life well-lived. But back then, I didn’t even know what an arborist was! I’m a product of private…