Johanna Porola Tree song, 2025

Listen: messages circulate among the trees.

“Watch out!” “Calm down.” “I’m close.” “Help me.”

Trees, which to human eyes and ears may seem eternally slow and silent, are in fact engaged in constant communal interaction with one another. They deliver nutrients through their roots to support sick individu-als, warn each other of insect attacks using chemical compounds, and protect themselves from harsh weath-er by growing closely together. Trees also make sounds: researchers have recorded low clicking noises in their root systems, and tree trunk may emit distress call in ultrasound frequencies.

The sounds in this installation were recorded during a workshop exploring what tree communication might sound like if interpreted through human voice. The sound installation is based on a concept by sound artist Antti Nykyri and is inspired by The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben. Musician and sound designer Johanna Porola is interested in the meaningfulness of sound and the interplay between realism and fantasy. Porola is currently studying a Master’s degree in sound design at the Theatre Academy.

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Ultrasound frequency = a high-pitched sound that cannot be heard by the human ear; for example, dolphins and bats can hear ultrasounds