Trees 'Sync Up' During a Solar Eclipse

I’m an avid gardener, and I feel most at peace when my hands are in the soil, surrounded by my plants and flowers. There’s something transformative about being in nature—it grounds me in a way that feels both physical and spiritual. I know there are real, tangible benefits to spending time outdoors, so it’s no surprise that I feel a deep connection to the earth when I’m in the garden or out on a forest trail.

Hiking with my kids has become a cherished ritual, and we’ve developed a practice of pausing to touch and thank a tree that “speaks” to us. In those quiet moments, I imagine the tree’s roots stretching deep into the earth, connecting with the vast web of life beneath the forest floor. I often think of the mycelium network pulsing beneath us—like a living, breathing fiberoptic system—linking trees, plants, and organisms in a silent, intelligent conversation.

A recent study in Italy’s Dolomites explored how spruce trees respond to a solar eclipse. Researchers monitored the trees’ bioelectrical activity and found that not only did the trees react to the eclipse, but older trees appeared to anticipate it hours in advance. This synchronized electrical response across multiple trees—and even tree stumps—suggests a form of collective awareness or communication within the forest. The findings support the idea that trees are active participants in their ecosystems, capable of complex, coordinated responses to environmental changes. This research highlights the importance of preserving older forests, which may play a key role in maintaining ecological resilience and knowledge transfer across generations of trees.

I see trees as ancient, wise beings—silent witnesses to the passage of time. They’ve stood long before I arrived in this world and will likely remain long after I’ve gone. There’s a quiet reverence in their presence, a sense that they hold the stories of the earth within their rings. Sometimes I wonder: when I’m no longer bound by this physical form, will I be able to speak with them? I sure hope so...

https://www.sciencealert.com/trees-sync-up-during-a-solar-eclipse-in-a-forest-wide-phenomenon