library
Branham: Can we talk to trees — and will they talk back?
By Lindsay Branham Follow at Aspen Times
· July 1, 2026
· 3 min read
Earlier this week, the question about our capacity to talk to the forest landed in the Washington Post, where climate columnist Michael Coren spotlighted my book “Heartwood” in his Climate Coach newsletter . Can we talk to trees? The short answer? Yes.
How? Through interoceptive awareness. In...
Key takeaway Interoception, also known as our “eighth sense,” is our ability to feel our bodies, from the inside.
Why this matters in Aspen News
Aspen 's surroundings, with their abundant forests and iconic trees, make the concept of talking to trees particularly relevant. The city's location in the Roaring Fork Valley, surrounded by the Elk Mountains, means that residents are constantly reminded of the importance of the natural world. The local ecosystem, which includes the Aspen trees that give the city its name, is a vital part of the community's identity. Given the area's history of wildfires and the ongoing threat of climate change, the idea that trees can communicate with humans takes on a sense of urgency. By tuning into the natural world through interoceptive awareness, Aspen residents may develop a deeper appreciation for the land and a greater sense of responsibility to protect it. This, in turn, could inform local efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change and preserve the beauty and wonder of the surrounding forests.
About this story
Original reporting by Aspen Times . Aspen News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Aspen Times . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: library ·
Published: July 1, 2026 ·
Source: Aspen Times ·
Reading time: 3 min
Get more Aspen News stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering library and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Earlier this week, the question about our capacity to talk to the forest landed in the Washington Post, where climate columnist Michael Coren spotlighted my book “Heartwood” in his Climate Coach newsletter. Can we talk to trees? The short answer? Yes.
How? Through interoceptive awareness. In...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 1, 2026 by Aspen Times and curated for Aspen News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Lindsay Branham Follow at Aspen Times. To learn more about how Aspen News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more library coverage from Aspen News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More library →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter