Tree-Listeners Hear Trees Drinking

Alex Metcalf’s “Tree Listening Installation“:

Taken directly from Alex’s website:

As you approach the installation you will see 9 sets of headphones suspended from the branches of a very large and impressive Sessile Oak tree, and a beautiful Chestnut Leaved Oak. From these headphones the public is given the opportunity to listen to the sound of the water moving up though the Xylem tubes just behind the bark. This water movement produces an unusual clicking sound as it mixes with pockets of air in the Xylem tubes. As you are standing under the trees listening through the headphones you can also hear the tree vibrating as it moves with the wind.

“The clicking sound that you will hear is produced by the water passing through the cells and cavitating.”

Tree-listening is made possible by a specially designed, listening sensor developed by Alex. The sensor is placed on a tree trunk and then linked to an amplifier. The mechanics of the instrument are placed in the tree canopy and completely powered by solar energy.

When Alex was asked if he had any mp3 recordings to share, he said:

“…I am sorry, I am not able to let you have an MP3. The sound doesn’t work unless you are under the tree. It takes away the experience.”

Obviously Alex’s discovery is a protected one - and a holistic one at that. What is proposed is that there is some sort of exchange between a person and a tree that communicates a new tree - a new meaning for a tree - a new understanding, gratitude and relationship for what a tree really is.

Thank you Mr. Metcalf.

Sources: Alex Metcalf, Our Descent