• Spruce trees synchronize bioelectrical signals hours before a solar eclipse, indicating anticipatory behavior.
• Older trees exhibit a stronger and earlier response, suggesting they act as 'memory banks' for the forest.
• The study underscores the importance of preserving older forests for their role in ecosystem resilience and knowledge transfer.

A groundbreaking international study has discovered that spruce trees synchronize their bioelectrical signals in anticipation of a solar eclipse. Researchers from Italy, the United Kingdom, Spain, and Australia monitored spruce trees in the Dolomites region of Italy during the October 2022 solar eclipse. The study revealed that trees not only react to the eclipse but also begin adjusting their internal electrical activity hours before the event. Older trees exhibited a more pronounced early response, suggesting that they hold environmental memories and guide the collective response of the forest. This coordinated behavior highlights the complex communication within forests and underscores the importance of preserving older trees as repositories of ecological knowledge.

• What: Spruce trees synchronize their bioelectrical signals in anticipation of a solar eclipse. Older trees exhibit a more pronounced early response, suggesting a transfer of environmental knowledge.
• Who: Professor Alessandro Chiolerio (Italian Institute of Technology and University of the West of England), Professor Monica Gagliano (Southern Cross University), and an interdisciplinary team of researchers from Italy, the United Kingdom, Spain, and Australia.
• When: The study was conducted during the October 2022 solar eclipse, with data analysis and publication occurring in April 2025.
• Where: The research was conducted in a forest in the Dolomites region of Italy (Costa Bocche forest according to New Atlas).

The study provides compelling evidence for complex communication and coordinated behavior among trees in a forest ecosystem. The synchronization of bioelectrical signals in response to an external event like a solar eclipse suggests a level of interconnectedness and information sharing previously not fully understood. The role of older trees as 'memory banks' is particularly significant, highlighting their importance in maintaining ecosystem resilience and transmitting ecological knowledge to younger generations. The application of quantum field theory offers a novel perspective on forest dynamics, suggesting that interactions among trees extend beyond physical exchanges.

This study illustrates the anticipatory and synchronized responses we observed are key to understanding how forests communicate and adapt, revealing a new layer of complexity in plant behaviour.

Basically, we are watching the famous ‘wood wide web’ in action!

We now see the forest not as a mere collection of individuals, but as an orchestra of phase correlated plants.

The fact that older trees respond first — potentially guiding the collective response of the forest — speaks volumes about their role as memory banks of past environmental events.

The discovery that spruce trees synchronize bioelectrical signals in anticipation of a solar eclipse sheds new light on the intricate communication networks within forests. The study underscores the vital role of older trees in preserving and transmitting ecological knowledge, emphasizing the importance of protecting these ancient sentinels for the long-term health and resilience of forest ecosystems. Future research, potentially including the proposal led by Chiolerio, promises to further unravel the complexities of plant communication and ecosystem dynamics.