In primary school, I remember learning how trees constantly compete with each other for sunlight, each one stretching and outgrowing the others in a fight for survival. It made sense at the time. I often saw trees leaning toward the sun, and my young mind began to connect the dots: success meant competing for limited resources, standing out, and winning. Common sayings like “it’s a dog-eat-dog world” or “every man for himself” seemed to reinforce this ideology – or perhaps, in this case, it should be “every tree for himself.”
But this was only a surface-level observation. Later in life, I discovered that trees aren’t just competing—they’re also supporting one another in remarkable, invisible ways. Beneath the surface, a hidden network exists where trees are connected through their root systems and fungal networks, sharing resources to ensure their collective survival.
Trees that produce excess sugar through photosynthesis often share it with those struggling nearby. Even sick trees receive nourishment and support from their healthier neighbors until they recover.
More fascinating still is how trees help each other in times of danger. Take the acacia tree, for example. When attacked by herbivores, it pumps toxins into its leaves, making them unappetizing. At the same time, it releases a warning gas to alert neighboring trees, which respond by doing the same—arming themselves against the impending threat.
This challenged my original belief that trees were purely competitors—what I thought was “every tree for itself.” In reality, trees are deeply interconnected, and through their cooperation, they all thrive together, benefiting the entire ecosystem.
And there’s a profound reason for this cooperation. A tree alone cannot establish a consistent local climate; it is vulnerable to wind and weather. But together, trees create an ecosystem that moderates extreme temperatures, stores vast amounts of water, and generates life-sustaining humidity. Within this community, trees can live for centuries.
Without a forest community, trees are more susceptible to harsh weather, pests, and diseases. Isolated trees often have shorter lifespans than those in forests.
Simply put, a supportive community enhances the odds of survival and growth. This principle holds true for humans as well. Behind every so-called “self-made” person, there’s undoubtedly hard work—but also a network of people who have offered help, guidance, or support at various steps in their lives.
To thrive in life, we need the support of others. We need a network of friends, mentors, or a community that offers support, advice, and constructive criticism when necessary.
The best way to cultivate such a network is by giving without expecting anything in return. Simply put, be kind. I can’t count the number of times I’ve helped someone only to receive that kindness multiplied back in unexpected ways. While my achievements are modest, I wouldn’t have learned or accomplished nearly as much without the help, advice, and guidance of others.
The belief that life is a zero-sum game, where one person’s gain means another’s loss, is flawed. In reality, we achieve much more when we work together—sharing resources, knowledge, and support to lift each other up.
Just as a tree needs the forest to survive, we need our communities to thrive. As the saying goes: if you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, go together.
Compound steadily,
Thomas
P.S. If you want to learn more about trees, I highly recommend The Hidden Life of Trees—it’s a fascinating read.