How Trees Are Hitched to the Universe
Explore the underground network that sustains the life of the forest, one sapling at a time.
When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe.
—John Muir, Father of Our National Parks
Lately, I’ve been thinking about connections. My worm bin post brought so many of you into conversation about soil, life, and the quiet miracles of decomposition. And then we explored spirals and the Fibonacci code—a reminder that nature repeats its beautiful logic everywhere. Today, we travel underground to find another kind of miracle: a living web that links tree to tree, root to root, in a communion of sharing and support.
This hidden web is called the mycorrhizal network—a partnership between tree roots and microscopic fungi. It may sound like a dry bit of biology, but it is anything but. These fungal threads (called hyphae) weave among the roots of trees and plants, forming vast networks that allow them to exchange water, nutrients, and even chemical messages. Trees can "warn" each other about pests. Strong trees help feed weaker ones. Whole forests, it turns out, are communities, not individuals.
Enter the Mother Tree
In her beautiful book Finding the Mother Tree, forest ecologist Suzanne Simard describes how older, central trees act as hubs in these underground networks. These "mother trees" nurture saplings by sending them carbon and nitrogen through the fungal filaments. Simard’s groundbreaking research showed that forests aren’t just a group of trees—they’re families.
“I imagined the web as a magical tapestry of threads connecting all life in the forest, a subterranean silk road.”
—Suzanne Simard, Finding the Mother Tree
This image stayed with me. A tapestry. A silk road. A community woven in the dark. It echoes something deeply human—our longing for belonging, our unseen giving, our ties of care and interdependence. And doesn’t it echo something divine?
“Seeing” the Mycorrhizal Network
The mycorrhizal network is invisible to the naked eye, as it consists of microscopic fungal filaments (hyphae) that live in the soil and on plant roots. The image above was done under special light conditions. But, we can get close to observing its effects and sometimes even its presence using nature-based activities.
Here are a few options that come as close to "revealing" the mycorrhizal network as possible:
1. Dig-and-Observe Root Tips with a Magnifier
What you might see:
Fine, white, thread-like growths on or around the roots—this could be mycorrhizal fungi. These often appear fuzzy or cobweb-like.
Activity:
Choose a healthy, mature plant or tree in your yard or woods.
Carefully dig near the edge of the root zone (not right next to the trunk).
Gently remove a small clump of soil and roots.
Use a hand lens (10x–20x) or portable digital microscope.
Look for thin white threads extending from root tips.
Optional: Place the sample on dark paper and mist it slightly. Fungal hyphae may become more visible under light.
How it connects:
You’re seeing the actual threads of the mycorrhizal network that help the plant absorb water and nutrients.
2. Leaf Litter + Wood Chip Decomposition Tray
This simple tray creates an environment where mycorrhizal and saprophytic fungi become active, and you may see white mycelium develop after a few days.
What you need:
A shallow tray or box
A mix of forest leaf litter, decaying wood chips, and soil
A misting bottle
Optional: a clear lid or plastic wrap for humidity
Steps:
Fill the tray with a layer of soil, then add moist wood chips and forest leaves.
Keep it in a cool, shaded place and mist lightly once daily.
Within a week, you may observe white threads or fuzzy patches spreading across the surface—these are signs of mycelium (fungal network growth).
How it connects:
This demonstrates fungal colonization—the spreading mycelium that will later form partnerships with plants (mycorrhizae).
3. Tree Ring Study in a Forest
This is observational, not microscopic, but it reveals evidence of mycorrhizal influence.
Activity:
Visit a mixed-age forest.
Identify tree “families”—a large central tree surrounded by younger saplings of the same species.
Observe leaf health, spacing, and signs of shared growth.
Discussion:
Talk about how the “mother tree” may be feeding and communicating with the others via underground fungal threads.
Ask: What signs of care or connectedness do we see in this forest?
How it connects:
While you can’t see the network, you’re observing its ecological result—how older trees nourish younger ones through shared underground systems.
A Sacred Interconnectedness
When I read John Muir’s quote, I feel a sense of awe. It’s not poetic awe — it’s prophetic awe. In a world that pushes us toward isolation, competition, and self-reliance, the trees remind us: We were made for connection. Giving matters, even when it’s unseen. Kindness travels further than we know.
Isn’t that the very nature of grace? That our lives are hitched to something more.
Suggested Reading
Finding the Mother Tree by Suzanne Simard
The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben
Psalm 1:3 – “They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in season…”
This Week’s Wonder Prompt
What in your life feels “hitched” to something deeper? Is there a quiet connection sustaining you that deserves your thanks?
Keep Exploring the Wonders of Nature
If today’s post sparked your curiosity, I invite you to keep going. Nature is a lifelong teacher—and your backyard, your journal, even your kitchen can become places of discovery and delight.
Whether you're just beginning or deepening your journey, my books were created to support you:
🌿 Nature Study Companion – A gentle seasonal guide filled with prompts, reflections, and ideas to nurture observation, awe, and joy in learning.
📖 Nature Poems: Timeless Verse for Children – A collection of classic poems to inspire quiet moments, recitation, and connection with the beauty all around us.
🌱 Nature Study Seasonal Planner
Designed for busy homeschool families, this planner helps you organize your nature walks, journals, and seasonal goals—while still leaving space for wonder.
You don’t need to be an expert—just willing to look, listen, and learn alongside your children. These resources were made with that spirit in mind. I’d be honored if they became part of your family’s learning and living.
With you in wonder,
Sheila Carroll
Living Books Press