Nature Features

That was the exact question asked by Alex Metcalf, it inspired him to combine art with science and design a device to help people hear what goes on inside a tree trunk.

Fermynwoods Contemprary Art is currently running an exhibition of Alex’s work. You can listen to a Silver Birch which has some headphones attached.

Microphone

One of the challenges Alex faced was finding a way to isolate the sounds that he wanted to hear from background noise. He had to work with some engineers to try to find something that would do the job.  “We looked for something that would work but nothing was suitable so I had to find something new,” says Alex.
The microphone, which is the key instrument, has some noise cancelling technology that amplifies very sensitive sounds when placed on the trunk. It took Alex a year to design.

Studfall Junior School pupils

Rumbles

There are two particular sounds to look out for when listening to a tree. A rumbling sound which is the general movement of the tree and a clicking sound which is water mixing with air as it travels up the xylem tubes.

School trips

Many schools in the area visit Fermynwoods. It gives them a chance to get some hands on practical experience of trees both inside and out. Alex and James Steventon run the workshops where the children identify the shape and size of trees as well as listen to the sounds. The children are encouraged to use all of their senses including touch and hearing when observing a tree.

Listening to the trees

Science

The sound of each tree is so different that it is possible to identify a type of tree from just listening. This work and observations are being used by scientists to monitor the health and well-being of trees.

Worldwide

Alex has installations around the world including Ontario in Canada. The exhibition at Fermynwoods will be there until November with Alex holding some workshops to explain more about trees.