Trees: Between the Visible and the Invisible – A Fascinating Exploration by Ernst Zürcher

Introduction

Trees have always held a central place in human history. As sources of oxygen, wood, and spirituality, they have been studied from various perspectives. However, few authors have managed to blend science and poetry as elegantly as Ernst Zürcher in his book Trees: Between the Visible and the Invisible. Published in 2016, this work presents a holistic vision of trees, intertwining biology, physics, chronobiology, mythology, and even spirituality. Zürcher unveils the mysteries of these towering beings, oscillating between matter and energy, between the visible and the invisible.

Ernst Zürcher: A Scientist at the Crossroads of Knowledge

Ernst Zürcher is a forestry engineer, PhD in natural sciences, and professor at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne. He has dedicated his life to studying trees from a multidisciplinary perspective. His research stands out for its originality, particularly in the study of trees’ biological rhythms and the influence of the moon on their growth.

In Trees: Between the Visible and the Invisible, Zürcher does not limit himself to a strictly scientific approach. He also explores the connections between ancient traditions and modern discoveries, highlighting ancestral knowledge that is now being confirmed by science.

A Journey into the Heart of the Living World

1. Trees: Organisms Synchronized with the Cosmos

One of the most fascinating aspects of the book is Zürcher’s emphasis on natural rhythms. According to him, trees are not merely static structures but organisms deeply connected to cosmic cycles. He sheds light on:

• The influence of the moon on tree growth, explaining how certain lunar phases promote better wood quality.
• Trees’ circadian and seasonal rhythms, which regulate their metabolism according to day/night alternation and seasonal changes.
• The spiral structure of trees, which reflects recurring mathematical patterns in nature, such as the Fibonacci sequence.

2. A Plant Architecture Imbued with Sacred Geometry

The author demonstrates that the very structure of trees is not random. He discusses fascinating phenomena such as:

• The spiral arrangement of leaves and branches, optimizing light capture.
• Growth patterns influenced by the golden ratio, found both in plant architecture and human art.
• The symmetry and perfect proportions observed in tree growth rings.

3. Communication Between Trees: An Underrated Intelligence

Zürcher also explores recent discoveries about plant communication, highlighting:

• The role of the mycorrhizal network, a symbiosis between tree roots and soil fungi, enabling exchanges of water, nutrients, and even information.
• Trees’ ability to send chemical signals to warn their neighbors of danger, such as pest attacks.
• The existence of a true “Internet of Trees,” a concept that challenges our perception of the plant world.

4. Trees: Guardians of the World’s Memory

Another key theme of the book is the relationship between trees and memory. Zürcher discusses:

• The idea that trees record climate history and natural events through their growth rings.
• Ancestral traditions that regarded certain trees as places of wisdom and knowledge transmission.
• Trees as symbols of resilience and continuity over time.

An Invitation to Rethink Our Connection with Nature

Beyond scientific facts, Trees: Between the Visible and the Invisible is also a plea for a renewed relationship between humans and nature. Zürcher emphasizes:

• The urgent need to preserve forests, essential to the planet’s ecological and climatic balance.
• The necessity of rediscovering ancient knowledge about tree and forest management.
• The importance of a more respectful and intuitive approach to life, in contrast to the purely industrial exploitation of natural resources.

Conclusion

With Trees: Between the Visible and the Invisible, Ernst Zürcher offers a captivating book that goes beyond mere botanical study. He invites us to deeply immerse ourselves in the universe of trees, through a scientific approach enriched by philosophical and spiritual dimensions. After reading this book, one can never look at a tree the same way again. Far from being mere elements of the landscape, trees appear as complex living beings, synchronized with the forces of the universe, and bearers of an essential message for the future of humanity.