The Secret Life of Trees The Secret Life of Trees

Documentary · 2025 · 44 min BBC Select
Available on Prime Video

Trees are remarkable. Some are so old they were growing when the pyramids were still being built. Some trees can tell the time, while others pass on memories to young saplings. This fascinating nature documentary examines the mysteries of trees, including how they communicate and care for each other; and how they survive from seedling to mature giant. What can humans learn from trees?

Documentary · 2025 · 44 min
Starring Michael Palin

Season 1

  • EPISODE 1

    Birth

    Even the mightiest oak must start life as a tiny acorn. But how do young trees, magically transform from minute seeds into mature, giant adults? This innovative nature documentary reveals how a tree's early years are the most treacherous of its life, with fewer than one in a thousand seeds reaching adulthood. What elements ensures that the survivors to stand out from the rest?

    43 min · Jan 1, 2020
  • EPISODE 2

    Life

    While many humans are prone to fighting the inevitability of growing old, trees have perfected the art of aging gracefully. This remarkable nature documentary reveals the incredible things that mature trees do to survive and thrive in an often turbulent world, possibly even working together to do so. Can human beings learn anything from the trees approach to maturity and ageing?

    44 min · Jan 1, 2020
  • EPISODE 3

    Death

    Whether a tree's lifespan is a hundred or a thousand years, eventually it reaches the end of its story. But for trees, the end of one life can mean the beginning of another. This insightful nature documentary reveals how trees can extend their lives by 'walking' across land and planting new roots, what they learn from trauma, and how a decaying tree has the miraculous ability to nurture new life.

    44 min · Jan 1, 2020

Trailers

  • The Secret Life of Trees Trailer

    Documentary · 2 min

Related

Cast & Crew

  • Michael Palin

    Narrator
  • N‌B

    Nathan Budd

    Producer
  • L‌C

    Lucy Carter

    Producer

About

The Secret Life of Trees

Documentary

Trees are remarkable. Some are so old they were growing when the pyramids were still being built. Some trees can tell the time, while others pass on memories to young saplings. This fascinating nature documentary examines the mysteries of trees, including how they communicate and care for each other; and how they survive from seedling to mature giant. What can humans learn from trees?

Information

Studio
5
Released
2025
Rated
TV-PG
Region of Origin
United Kingdom
© 2025 Voltage TV

Languages

Original Audio
English (United Kingdom)
Audio and Subtitles
English (United Kingdom) (AAC, CC)

Accessibility

Closed captions (CC) refer to subtitles in the available language with the addition of relevant non-dialogue information.
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