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Peter Wohlleben

ペーター・ヴォールレーベン

Peter Wohlleben

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
Bonn, West Germany
Nationality
Germany
Languages
German, English
Residence History
Bonn, Germany → Hümmel, Germany

Career

Occupations
Forester, Author, Instructor (forest academy)
Active Years
1987-
Influenced By
Suzanne Simard, Tim Flannery

Education

Forestry school in Rottenburg am Neckar
Country: Germany
Graduated from forestry school; began work as a government wood ranger in 1987

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate

2015 Non-fiction, Nature/Environment

Introduces readers to the world of trees and natural forests, including the Wood‑Wide Web through which nutrition and signals are exchanged among trees. Uses accessible, at times anthropomorphic language to describe cooperative behaviors and argues for different forest management practices; the book has attracted both popular acclaim and criticism from some scientists.

Tree communicationForest managementEcosystem interdependenceConservation
Adaptations
  • [Documentary film] Intelligent Trees (2017)
  • [Theatrical documentary] The Hidden Life of Trees (2021)
Translations
  • English translation: The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate (2016)

The Inner Life of Animals: Love, Grief, and Compassion

2016 Non-fiction, Animal behavior/Animal welfare

Presents 41 short chapters with examples of animals exhibiting emotions such as courage, desire, grief, love and regret, arguing for animal sentience.

Animal emotionsAnimal welfareObservation-based essays
Translations
  • English translation: The Inner Life of Animals (2017)

The Secret Wisdom of Nature: Trees, Animals, and the Extraordinary Balance of All Living Things

2017 Non-fiction, Nature

Combines scientific research and the author's observations to explore ecosystem balance and interrelationships among living things.

Ecosystem interrelationshipsNature observationConservation

The Heartbeat of Trees: Embracing Our Ancient Bond with Forests and Nature

2021 Non-fiction, Environment

Examines the role of ancient forests and how humanity might restore its relationship with forests and nature.

Ancient tree protectionClimate change mitigationRole of forests

The Power of Trees: How Ancient Forests Can Save Us if We Let Them

2023 Non-fiction, Environment

Explores how ancient forests can help combat climate change and critiques forest management practices that have impaired natural forest functions.

Value of ancient forestsClimate policyForest restoration

Bibliography

  • The Hidden Life of Trees (2015)
  • The Inner Life of Animals (2016)
  • The Weather Detective (English translation 2018)
  • The Secret Wisdom of Nature (2017)
  • Can You Hear the Trees Talking? (2019)
  • Peter and the Tree Children (2020)
  • The Heartbeat of Trees (2021)
  • The Power of Trees (2023)

Adaptations

  • Documentary "Intelligent Trees"
  • Documentary film "The Hidden Life of Trees"

Translations of Works

  • The Hidden Life of Trees — English translation (2016)
  • The Inner Life of Animals — English translation (2017)
  • The Weather Detective — English translation (2018)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Accessible popular-science styleObservation-based essaysFrequent use of anthropomorphic language
Recurring Motifs
Anthropomorphizing trees and animalsMutual aid within forestsHuman–nature bond

Legacy

Author of international bestsellers that raised public awareness of forests and ecosystems. While influential in popularizing ecological ideas and inspiring documentaries and children's books, his anthropomorphic style and some scientific claims have drawn criticism from parts of the scientific community.

In Popular Culture

  • Featured in documentaries, international reviews, and film festival screenings

Quotes

  • "It's okay to eat plants. It's okay to eat meat, although I'm a vegetarian, because meat is the main forest killer. But if plants are conscious about what they are doing, it's okay to eat them. Because otherwise we will die. And it's our right to survive."
    Source: Interview (cited in media such as KCRW and other reports) (2016)

Trivia

  • Born in 1964 in Bonn.
  • Worked as a government wood ranger from 1987.
  • Manages a beech forest in Hümmel and offers regular tours at his forest academy.
  • The Hidden Life of Trees became an international bestseller and drew criticism from some scientists.
  • Has publicly identified as a vegetarian.