Story perspectives

Study Claims Trees Communicate, Sparks Scientific Debate

3/5/2026

Summary

Story summary

A 2022 study in the Dolomites found synchronized electrical activity in spruce trees during a solar eclipse, implying possible communication.
Ariel Novoplansky challenged the findings, arguing environmental factors like lightning could explain the activity and labeled the work pseudoscience.
Chiolerio, the lead researcher, defended the study's methodology and called for further experimentation.
Both researchers agree more rigorous testing is needed to clarify the trees’ responses to eclipses and environmental changes.

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Story summary

A 2022 study in the Dolomites found synchronized electrical activity in spruce trees during a solar eclipse, implying possible communication.
Ariel Novoplansky challenged the findings, arguing environmental factors like lightning could explain the activity and labeled the work pseudoscience.
Chiolerio, the lead researcher, defended the study's methodology and called for further experimentation.
Both researchers agree more rigorous testing is needed to clarify the trees’ responses to eclipses and environmental changes.