Solidarity in the forest
Solidarity in the forest

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Solidarity in the forest

"Trees are pro-social and support each other" – Peter Wohlleben

The forest is a network of solidarity. It works great together, creates a harmonious group, a self-reliant ecosystem. Each tree, lichen, and fungus has its own task, which is consistently fulfilled without hesitation or doubt for the benefit of all. It does not err but carries out a common mission. It creates the ideal of a supporting family, local community, district, city, province, state, continent. Always and without exceptions.

From my early age communing with nature, exploring mountain areas and forests developed my deep connection with this huge, untamed and fascinating world. I have always had an impression of dealing with something great, wise and perfect. We can learn a lot from nature. Shamingly, we do not have a decent knowledge or value offer in return.

While searching for the place of my Land art installation and reflecting on the motto of this year's Gdynia Design Festival, I returned with joy to Peter Wohlleben's book "The Secret Life of Trees”. In the preface, the author admits that he had come a long way before noticing and realizing what treasure he is dealing with. From a forest manager with a very narrow horizon, assessing hundreds of trees for their usefulness in a sawmill, he became an explorer of forest wonders that he was unable to explain. From that moment he discovered that "trees are pro-social and support each other", "stick together at all costs" because "cooperation is strength". “A single tree is not a forest. It will not generate a local, sustainable climate by itself, it will be exposed to the wind and weather. However, many trees together form an ecosystem that reduces the effects of extreme heat and freeze and stores a large amount of water." He also examined that "beeches are capable of friendship and are able to feed each other" and that "they strive to equalize their weaknesses and strengths". "Forests are super-organisms similar to an anthill."

Presenting you the "Solidarity in the forest" Land art. installation located on the cliff of Kamienna Góra, I sincerely hope that you will become more curious, sensitive and willing to learn on your next walk to the forest. Most importantly, that you will start implementing forest rules and values ​​into your lives.

-  Megi Malinowsky

#forest#trees#cooperation

Heroes of the land art installation

Everyone takes and gives at the same time, creating a natural, harmonious and perfectly tuned orchestra.

The impact of land art installations on recipients requires a deep understanding of the natural world and the surrounding ecosystems. Artistic activities of this type use natural resources, terrain and landscapes. They treat them as an already prepared canvas, a certain indispensable base, to which they gain new value by introducing delicate accents and geometry. The very act of creating in nature triggers in the artist a deep empathy and sensitivity to the beauty and wisdom of the natural world. At every turn, the artist craves knowledge to understand the surrounding treasures.

Meet the main characters and heroes of the installation “Solidarity in the forest”. The most important ones are oaks, beeches and birches. At the same time, remember that fungi, lichens, insects, birds, mosses are other important contributors to this unique place on Kamienna Góra in Gdynia. Together they form a bio diverse ecosystem, a cooperating community, dependent organization. Everyone in this area has space, water and food for themselves. Everyone takes and gives at the same time, creating a natural, harmonious and perfectly tuned orchestra.

Pedunculate Oak

Quercus robur

The oaks prove that they are simply unbreakable in the right conditions and in the right sunlight.

When oaks get a stump wound or a cleft caused by a lightning strike, they remain unaffected because their wood is saturated with substances that inhibit the growth of fungi and strongly slow down decay processes. Even heavily damaged specimens with broken limbs are able to rebuild the crown and live peacefully for centuries.

Oaks faced with the threat of insect attack soak the bark and leaves with bitter and poisonous tannins. Thus, they eliminate preying intruders, or change the taste of the leaves and bark to such an extent that the delicious salad turns into caustic bile.

Oaks also send information about such a danger through the roots, which connect all individuals into a network. If the news got out, all the oaks around began to pump tannins through their veins in a hurry. The tree's roots extend very far, more than two widths of its crown. In this way, the underground branches of neighboring trees intersect and make contact in the form of adhesions.

Source: “The Secret Life of Trees” Peter Wohlleben; "Forest manual"  Peter Wohlleben

 

#forest#trees#cooperation

Common Beech

Fagus sylvatica

Beeches have a very social temper towards their relatives. They are capable of friendship, they feed each other and take care of each other. Their welfare depends on the overall condition of the community.

The old parent trees shade their offspring, which in the deep twilight will grow no more than a meter in a hundred years. This is necessary in order to reach old age as a tree and not to use up strength prematurely. The little ones do not starve due to the lack of light because the parents feed them properly through the adhesions of the roots by pumping the sugar solution. Adult individuals show each other no less care. They help weak specimens offering them a similar aid so that, once in a disease, they can also receive support themselves. The result is a strong community that as a whole is much more resistant to any disaster than a single beech. That is why the beech is also called the "Mother of the Forest". Its mission is to constantly strive to equalize the weaknesses and strengths. It results in a resistant super-organism. That is why beech used to create predominantly primary forests in our region.

Source: “The Secret Life of Trees” Peter Wohlleben; "Forest manual"  Peter Wohlleben

#forest#trees#cooperation

Birch

Betula

Birch trees are sprinters, they rush through life like crazy. In their youth, they grow very quickly and use all their strength and resources to do so. It is always dangerous for trees because they are shaded by their neighbors. Shade means less photosynthesis and results in hunger strike.

Birch hallmark is smooth and white bark. We can see cracks forming black strips. The teeth of herbivores lose to hard material and also they do not like such tissue saturated with aromatic oils. The bark hides one more surprise. It owes its white color to betulin, an organic chemical compound that is present in the bark in abundant amounts. White reflects light, protecting the trunk from sunburn. In addition, it prevents the winter sun from heating up, which can lead to cracking of the trunk of unprotected trees. Birch trees, as pioneering trees, often grow alone in an open space and have no neighbors to cast a shadow over them. This solution is most reasonable for them.

Birch has long and thin branches that hang limply to the ground. At the slightest gust of wind, it laps its branches in all directions. Whips that run around inhibit the growth of the branches of the surrounding trees. Thanks to which the birch increases its accessibility to sunlight.

Source: “The Secret Life of Trees” Peter Wohlleben; "Forest manual"  Peter Wohlleben

#forest#trees#cooperation