Name: The Secret Life of Trees
Released: 2025-07-25T00:00:00.000Z
Cast: Michael Palin

TV Show · Documentary

Michael Palin explores the hidden lives of trees - from birth to death - revealing how they talk to each other, mate, obtain their nutrition, and how some species live for thousands of years.

2025 · 1h 0m

Starring Michael Palin

EPISODE 1

The Early Years

We explore how the changing seasons play a significant role in the life cycle of trees, how different species of trees take varying amounts of time to reach maturity, and see how carefully farmers treat saplings.
EPISODE 2

Adulthood

Arriving at adulthood is a major milestone in a tree's life. Some fruit trees get there early, maturing at as young as 5 years old, whereas some trees like North American hemlocks can take 300 years to become an adult.
EPISODE 3

Old Age

We discover how trees can extend their lives by 'walking' across the land and planting new roots, how they can 'learn' from trauma, and how a decaying tree has the miraculous ability to nurture new life.