You’ve heard that philosophical expression before: "If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?"

Think about this: if a tree is talking to another tree in a forest, do they understand each other?

The answer is yes, trees can hear and understand each other because they work as part of a larger network. Sharing carbon and nutrients, trees work collectively to resist the extreme climate of Canadian nature.

How Trees Talk

Look below the ground and you’ll find a vast network. Coming from the Greek word μύκης mýkēs: "Fungus", and ῥίζα rhiza: "Root”, these are called Mycorrhizal Networks. With no access to light or chlorophyll, strands of fungi interact with tree roots, receiving their sugar. Over time, the good fungi give back nutrients for the trees to consume.

However, this exchange does not end here. The fungi and trees contribute to a bigger network within the forest. As trees share resources and make alliances with other species so that the forests develop resilience within one of the harshest environments in the world.

Wood Wide Web

Canadian nature, in particular, is unique because of the repeated changes, undoubtedly, only strengthen the network’s resistance to the extreme Northern climate. This network, as scientists call it, the Wood Wide Web, works between tree species as well. Birch trees, for example, can send food to nearby trees like small Douglas Fir trees in the summer. In return, the Douglas Fir gives carbon to sustain both species for Autumn and Winter.

Scientists have found that the further north you are, the more protective and regenerative molecules are present in nature, compared to the same vegetation in the south. One way we can see this difference is with older trees, who play a crucial role in this network. Their stronger connection allows for extra carbon to be given to fungi and smaller trees. As a result, these young trees and fungi start developing their own seedlings with protective properties.

Not only the soil, but hub trees are connected to the quality of water sources around them. With their roots stretching deep into the earth, they absorb water from the ground and from nearby creeks, rivers and lakes to make it available to their seedlings. Coming together from plants, trees and biomass, these diverse bioactive molecules all work together in a distinct resistance and thriving against the wilderness.

Isn’t it amazing to see how every part of nature is connected? Just by looking at these trees, we can understand that nature is intelligent. As trees forge alliances with each other, they also learn the defence signals of the network itself, evolving to be strong and resilient.

Resistance for Trees and Our Skin

Science is going to continue to find breakthroughs about talking trees, but there is without a doubt that trees can also help protect your skin from the unpredictable nature of our climate. Based on our scientific research, The Red Maple is great because it helps soften fine lines and wrinkles. Also, the Black Spruce is excellent for providing antioxidants and reducing redness.

Just like the trees around us, we are also exposed to the same climate but our skin lacks the evolution to protect itself like the trees. That’s why we rely on nature to make up for that.

At Nordora, we are always conscious of nature’s intelligence. There’s no surprise that the natural ingredients in trees also have skin-protecting properties. It protects the forests as well as allowing us to create a line of effective skincare to provide that same protection to your skin.

This sounds much better than harmful chemicals found in artificial products, don’t you think?