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Transcript: Forest Mother
A child says, WHEE!
TVO Kids and Fifth Ground Entertainment, Original.
[Child giggles, joyful music plays, pop]
Text over video footage of a forest reads, “T.V.O. kids presents.”
Taviss, a ten-year-old girl, walks in a forest. Her curly, dark brown hair gathered at the top of her head. She wears a yellow vest, a brown shirt with pink flowers, and blue jeans. Light reflects off the top of rippling water.
[Birds chirping, water splashing]
Taviss narrates, IN A FOREST FULL OF TREES, SOME HAVE BEEN THERE SINCE THE BEGINNING. THEY'VE SURVIVED LIGHTNING STORMS AND LOGGING. THEIR OFFSPRING FILLS THE FOREST. THERE'S NO BETTER NAME FOR THIS MAGNIFICENT TREE THAN A MOTHER TREE.
[Upbeat music plays]
Taviss asks, WANT TO GO FIND ONE?
Taviss runs on a rocky beach beside a forest.
Title: Secrets of the Forest.
A drawing beside the title shows a girl sitting on green tree roots. She holds a magnifying glass and gazes towards the title.
In the forest, Taviss walks on an overgrown trail.
Taviss narrates, TODAY'S SECRET BRINGS US TO THE LAND OF MANY INDIGENOUS NATIONS. THE WENDAT, ANISHINAABEG, HAUDENOSAUNEE, AND MISSISSAUGAS OF THE CREDIT HAVE LIVED ON THIS LAND FOR CENTURIES.
Light reflects off the Don River by the Toronto campus of the Toronto French School. Behind the school, trees in the ravine have red, orange, yellow, and green leaves.
[Water splashes, upbeat music plays]
Taviss narrates, NOW, THIS RAVINE FOREST IS ON THE GROUNDS OF T.F.S., CANADA'S INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, IN TORONTO, ONTARIO. IT'S THE PERFECT PLACE TO SEARCH FOR THE ORIGINAL TREE OF THE FOREST - THE MOTHER TREE.
In the forest, Eric Davies lowers his binoculars. His tousled grey hair is short, and he wears a red vest over a dark blue sweater. He taps a branch against a tree trunk.
[Chiming, nocking]
Taviss narrates, AND ERIC DAVIES IS THE PERFECT PERSON TO LEAD THE SEARCH. ERIC IS A SCIENTIST WHO IS A BIT LIKE A DETECTIVE. HE IS CONSTANTLY ON THE HUNT FOR MAGNIFICENT MOTHER TREES. DID SOMEBODY SAY EPIC TREE HUNT? OH, I DID. WELL, I'M IN!
In the forest, Taviss and Eric meet on the rocky riverbank.
[Gentle music plays]
Eric says, I'M GLAD TO HAVE ANOTHER DETECTIVE ON THE CASE TODAY. I'VE GOT A MAP HERE WITH ALL THE TREES I'VE MAPPED OUT.
Eric shows Taviss his smartphone. Dots on a map show his mapped trees.
Taviss says, WHOA, THAT'S A LOT.
Eric says, YEAH, BUT THERE'S NOTHING AROUND HERE, SO I'M HOPING WE CAN FIND ANOTHER ONE AND ADD IT TO THE MAP.
Taviss says, WELL, I'M DOWN TO BE A DETECTIVE FOR THE DAY.
Eric says, LET'S GO, DETECTIVE.
Taviss narrates, THE NAME'S TAVISS, DETECTIVE TAVISS.
In the forest, Taviss jumps over a fallen tree.
[Rustling]
Taviss asks, SO, WHY ARE THEY CALLED MOTHER TREES? THEY DON'T HAVE BABIES, DO THEY?
Eric replies, YEAH, THEY KIND OF DO. THEY'RE THE OLDEST TREES IN THE FOREST, AND THEY'RE THE BIGGEST AND STRONGEST ONES OUT THERE.
AND EVERY FEW YEARS, THEY PRODUCE SEEDS THAT'LL HAVE THE SAME GENES AS THEIR PARENTS, AND IT'LL MAKE THEM GROW BIG AND STRONG.
Taviss says, I KIND OF LIKE HOW I GOT MY MOM'S STRONG ARMS.
Eric replies, YEAH, JUST LIKE THAT.
Taviss flexes her muscles.
[Dinging]
Taviss narrates, YEP, I GOT IT FROM MY MAMA.
[Eric chuckling]
Eric and Taviss crouch beside a tree.
[Upbeat music plays]
Eric says, UNDERGROUND, THE FOREST IS CONNECTED THROUGH MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI, AND THOSE FUNGI IS WHAT THE TREES USE TO COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER AND TRANSPORT NUTRIENTS AROUND THE FOREST. AND THE MOTHER TREES USE THAT FUNGI TO HELP THE WHOLE FOREST OUT. BUT THEY FAVOUR THEIR OWN YOUNG BY PREVENTING OTHER PLANTS FROM PUTTING THEIR ROOTS DOWN.
[Whooshing]
In an animation, a red-eyed leafy plant looks at the ground.
The leafy plant says, OH, NICE SPOT.
A mother tree and a large-eyed young tree stand close together. Green light pulses along the mother tree’s roots.
[Slide whistle]
The mother tree says, GET LOST.
The leafy plant says, AWW, MAN.
The leafy plant walks away.
The young tree says, THANKS, MAMA.
[Whooshing]
[Upbeat music plays]
Taviss says, I DIDN'T KNOW TREES CAN HELP OTHER TREES.
Eric says, AMAZING, EH? THE THING IS, IS A LOT OF THE BIG MOTHER TREES ARE BEING CUT DOWN BECAUSE THEY ARE SO GOOD. AND WHEN YOU LOSE THE MOTHER TREES IN THE FOREST, BABIES DON'T GROW, AS WELL. SO, WE NEED TO FIND MORE OF THESE MOTHER TREES AND KEEP THEM IN THE FOREST.
Eric and Taviss step over fallen branches as they walk down a steep hill.
[Rustling, upbeat music plays softly]
Eric says, RAVINES LIKE THIS ARE GREAT PLACES TO FIND MOTHER TREES. THEY'RE WILD, INCREDIBLE PLACES.
Taviss asks, WHY'S THAT?
Eric says, WELL, BECAUSE HUMANS HAVE NEVER REALLY BUILT IN THEM BEFORE. STEEP SLOPES LIKE THIS ARE NOT GREAT PLACES TO PUT BUILDINGS.
Taviss and Eric run and leap down the rest of the hill.
Taviss narrates, NOT GOOD FOR BUILDINGS, VERY GOOD FOR PLAYING.
A montage shows rocks in a desert, a giraffe, mist rising off a river, mountains, blue water splashing against a shore. Text reads, “Where in the World?”
[Exciting percussive music plays]
Taviss narrates, GUESS WHERE ONE OF THE WORLD'S LARGEST RAVINE SYSTEM IS?
On a world map, a red dot shows the location of Toronto in Ontario.
[Popping]
Taviss narrates, IN TORONTO, CANADA. PRETTY SWEET, EH?
THERE'S ALSO A PRETTY SWEET RAVINE WAY DOWN IN SOUTH AMERICA,
IN THE COUNTRY OF CHILE.
On the world map, Chile is highlighted in dark green.
[Whooshing]
Taviss narrates, IN ONE OF CHILE'S NATIONAL PARKS, DEEP IN A PROTECTED RAVINE, SCIENTISTS HAVE FOUND WHAT THEY THINK MAY BE THE OLDEST TREE ON EARTH.
In a lush forest, three people stand on a path by a huge cypress tree.
Taviss narrates, THIS HUGE PATAGONIAN CYPRESS TREE IS ESTIMATED TO BE OVER 5,480 YEARS OLD! I'M GONNA CALL THAT THE MOTHER OF ALL MOTHER TREES.
[Slide whistles]
[Whooshing, upbeat music plays]
In the forest, Taviss and Eric walk on a dirt path.
Taviss asks, SO, HOW WILL WE KNOW A MOTHER TREE WHEN WE SEE IT?
Eric says, WELL, A GREAT WAY TO START IS LOOKING FOR SOMETHING THAT REALLY STANDS OUT IN THE FOREST.
In an animation, small trees stand in a row. In the middle is a tall tree.
[Trees humming, majestic music plays]
[Whooshing]
[Upbeat music plays]
in the forest, Eric says, WELL, THAT COULD BE A BIG TRUNK OR IT COULD BE A HUGE SUPER CANOPY UP IN THE TREE OR SOMETIMES, JUST SOMETHING THAT STANDS OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FOREST.
Taviss asks, LIKE THAT ONE?
Eric says, KIND OF LIKE THAT ONE.
Taviss says, ITS BARK LOOKS DIFFERENT THAN THE OTHERS.
Taviss and Eric touch diamond-patterned grey bark on a tree trunk.
[Rustling]
Eric says, YEAH, IT'S A REALLY DISTINCTIVE BARK. SEE HOW IT'S GOT THESE DIAMOND PATTERNS IN IT? AND THAT GREY COLOUR, SO, I CAN TELL IT'S BLACK WALNUT FROM THAT.
Taviss asks, SO, IS IT A MOTHER TREE?
Eric says, NOT QUITE YET. BLACK WALNUTS GROW REALLY BIG, AND THEY LIVE FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS, SO THIS ONE'S STILL A BIT OF A YOUNG ONE.
Taviss says, SO, LET'S KEEP SEARCHING THEN.
Eric says, LET'S GO, DETECTIVE.
Taviss narrates, THE HUNT CONTINUES.
Taviss and Eric walk up a hill.
Taviss narrates, WE'RE ON TO YOU, MOTHER TREES. THE MOTHER TREE HAS GOT TO BE HERE.
[Taviss gasping]
Taviss says, JACKPOT! ERIC, I THINK I FOUND IT!
Eric puts his hands on his hips and looks up.
Eric says, OH, WOW. I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT. LET'S GO CHECK IT OUT.
Taviss and Eric run up the hill and stop beside a tall tree with a thick trunk. Eric pats the trunk.
[Tapping, upbeat music plays softly]
Eric says, THIS IS A RED OAK - ONE OF THE BIGGEST NATIVE TREES IN THE RAVINES.
Taviss asks, HOW CAN YOU TELL WHAT KIND OF TREE IT IS?
Eric says, WELL, IF YOU LOOK AT THE BOTTOM, YOU SEE HOW IT'S ALL BROKEN UP AND REALLY KIND OF CLUMPY?
Taviss nods.
Eric says, BUT IF YOU LOOK UP TOP, YOU'LL SEE THE SMOOTH PARTS AND THE BARK ARE STILL THERE. SO, THAT'S HOW WE KNOW IT'S A RED OAK.
Taviss asks, DO YOU THINK IT'S A MOTHER TREE?
Eric says, I THINK IT MIGHT BE. IF YOU LOOK OUT OVER THE RAVINES HERE, SEE HOW THERE'S NOT MANY TREES THIS BIG? SO, THIS ONE IS PROBABLY A REAL MOTHER TREE.
Taviss says, AWESOME!
Taviss sings, WE FOUND A MOTHER TREE.
WE FOUND A MOTHER TREE.
Taviss asks, SO, NOW DO WE START MAPPING?
Eric says, YOU GOT IT. WELL, FIRST WHAT WE'LL DO IS WE'LL TAKE ALL THE
MEASUREMENTS OF THE TREE. AND THAT WAY WE CAN SEE HOW IT GROWS OVER TIME.
Taviss asks, HOW DO WE DO THAT? IT'S HUGE!
Eric explains, I BROUGHT SOME SPECIAL TOOLS. THIS IS CALLED A DIAMETER TAPE, AND IT CAN TELL US HOW WIDE THE TREE IS. DO YOU WANT TO HELP ME DO THAT?
Taviss says, YES, PLEASE!
Eric says, OKAY. I'M GOING TO HOOK IT ONTO THE TREE LIKE THIS, AND MAYBE WE'LL GO A LITTLE HIGHER. YOU'VE GOT TO WALK ALL THE WAY AROUND THE TREE.
Eric keeps his thumb on the end of the diameter tape and holds it against the tree. Taviss takes the roll and walks around the tree, then gives it to Eric.
[High-pitched, sped-up speech]
Eric says, GOOD JOB. OKAY, COME ON BACK AROUND. LET'S SEE HOW BIG IT IS. OKAY, NOW, CAN YOU READ OFF THAT NUMBER RIGHT AT THE ZERO?
Taviss says, 103 CENTIMETRES.
Eric says, THAT'S HUGE. IT'S PROBABLY A PRETTY OLD TREE.
Taviss says, I'M ALSO GOING TO MEASURE IT IN HUG LENGTH, JUST TO COVER ALL THE GROUND, YOU KNOW?
Eric says, GOOD IDEA.
In an animation, a sign on a tree trunk reads, “Free hugs.”
[Creaking]
The tree says, FREE HUGS! FREE HUGS!
In the forest, Taviss moves around the tree, hugging it.
Taviss narrates, HUG LENGTHS IS AN OFFICIAL METHOD OF MEASUREMENT, BY THE WAY.
[High-pitched, sped-up speech]
Taviss says, FOUR. I CAN OFFICIALLY REPORT THIS TREE IS FOUR TAVISS HUG LENGTHS.
Eric says, GREAT. VERY SCIENTIFIC. I LIKE IT.
[Whooshing]
Taviss sits on a large root at the bottom of the tree. Eric holds a rod.
Eric says, SO, THIS TOOL WILL TELL US HOW OLD THE TREE IS. THIS IS AN INCREMENT BORER. YOU KNOW HOW TREES GROW TALLER EVERY YEAR? EVERY YEAR, THEY PUT ON A NEW RING AND GET WIDER. SO, THIS TOOL IS A DRILL THAT WE CAN GO IN AND WE CAN TAKE A CORE SAMPLE AND COUNT THE RINGS. YOU WANT TO HELP ME DO THAT?
Taviss says, YEAH!
[Upbeat music plays]
Eric says, OKAY. FIND A GOOD SPOT.
Eric puts the borer against the tree trunk and turns it. When it is firmly in the bark, he lets go, and Taviss grabs the handles.
Eric says, OKAY, IT'S A BIT-- IT'S A BIT HARD, BUT YOU CAN DO IT. THROW ALL YOUR WEIGHT IN THERE. WOW, GOOD JOB. HERE, I'LL GET ONE SIDE.
Eric and Taviss turn the borer together. Taviss lets go, and Eric turns it.
[Creaking]
Eric says, REALLY TOUGH WOOD.
Taviss says, YOU GOT THIS, ERIC!
[Creaking, Eric laughing]
Eric says, OKAY, LET'S TAKE IT OUT.
Eric slides the sample out of the middle of the boring tube.
Taviss says, WHOA, THAT'S A LOT.
Eric says, I THINK THIS LOOKS LIKE A MOTHER TREE.
Taviss says, DEFINITELY.
Eric says, WOW! LOOK AT ALL THOSE RINGS.
Taviss says, THAT'S SO COOL.
Eric says, DO YOU WANT TO GO DOWN AND COUNT IT, SEE IF IT'S OVER A HUNDRED?
Taviss says, YEAH!
Eric says, OKAY, LET'S GO.
They sit on the large tree root.
Tavis counts, ONE, TWO, THREE...
Both count ...38, 39, 40...68, 69...105, 106, 107...130, 131, 132!
Taviss says excitedly, THIS TREE IS 132 YEARS OLD!
Eric says, THAT CONFIRMS IT. THIS IS A MOTHER TREE.
Taviss says, OH, YEAH.
Eric looks up at the tree and says, OH, WOW.
In an animation, four small trees grow close to a larger tree.
[Creaking]
A voice says, FOREST MAMA IN THE HOUSE. OOH, OOH!
In the forest, Eric pats the tree trunk.
[Patting]
Eric asks, YOU KNOW WHAT I DO WHEN I FIND A TREE THIS BIG?
Taviss asks, WHAT?
Eric says, LOOK FOR THE SEEDS.
Taviss asks, WHERE ARE WE GOING TO GET THOSE?
Eric points at the top of the tree.
[Whooshing]
At the base of the tree, Taviss lies on her stomach and examines the large tree root through a magnifying glass. Eric stands beside her, peering up at the top of the tree through his binoculars.
[Upbeat music plays]
[Dinging]
Taviss narrates, NO BIG DEAL. JUST USING MY SPECIAL DETECTIVE TOOL TO BE A STRAIGHT-UP SEED INVESTIGATOR.
Eric says, YOU KNOW, TREES DON'T PRODUCE SEEDS EVERY YEAR, SO YOU HAVE TO LEARN HOW TO PREDICT THEM. I CALL THAT SEED FORECASTING.
Taviss finds an acorn under a leaf and picks it up.
Taviss says, WAIT. IS THIS IT?
Eric takes the acorn and sits down beside Taviss.
Eric says, OH, WOW. YEAH. THAT IS A RED OAK ACORN. WE'LL CUT IT OPEN AND SEE HOW GOOD IT IS.
Eric cuts the acorn in half.
Taviss says, WHOA!
Eric asks, DOES IT LOOK GOOD?
Taviss says, YES. KIND OF LOOKS LIKE COCONUT.
[Eric laughing]
Eric says, YEAH, IT DOES. SO, THAT'S A GOOD SEED. IF WE PLANT THIS, IT'LL GROW INTO A BIG OAK TREE LIKE THAT.
Taviss says, THAT'S SERIOUSLY SO COOL.
Text reads, “The Fun Factor.”
[Rock music plays]
In the forest, Taviss piles branches into Eric’s arms.
Taviss narrates, CHECK OUT ALL THESE LOGS AND BRANCHES. YOU KNOW WHAT I'M GOING TO DO! BUILD THE BEST FORT EVER.
[Branches rustling]
Taviss says, THAT'S FANTASTIC.
Taviss and Eric build a lean-to made of branches.
[Branches rustling]
Taviss says, WHOA.
Eric says, OH, NICE ONE. HERE'S ONE.
Taviss says, YEAH!
They sit in the lean-to fort. They both wipe their hands and then high-five.
[Clapping, hands slapping]
Eric asks, YOU DIDN'T BRING ANY SNACKS OR ANYTHING, DID YOU?
Taviss says, OH, YEAH.
Eric says, WHAT?!
Taviss puts a bag of potato chips on the ground. They both take chips out of the bag.
Eric says, OH!
Taviss says, THIS IS THE LIFE.
Eric says, THIS IS THE LIFE.
[Chips crunching, whooshing]
In the darkening forest, Eric and Taviss kneel beside a hole by the mother tree. Taviss balances a small tree on her knee.
Eric says, OKAY, TAV, I GOT A CONFESSION.
[Alarmed music plays]
Taviss narrates, HE'S NOT REALLY A SCIENTIST. HE'S A ZOMBIE! JUST KIDDING.
Eric pats the tree trunk.
[Patting]
Eric says, I KNEW THIS MOTHER TREE WAS HERE THE WHOLE TIME. I ACTUALLY FOUND IT THREE YEARS AGO, AND WHEN I FOUND IT, IT HAD SEEDS. SO, I COLLECTED THE SEEDS AND GREW THAT SEEDLING RIGHT THERE.
Taviss narrates, OKAY, MAYBE I WAS TRICKED, BUT THAT'S PRETTY AWESOME.
Eric says, SO, I THOUGHT, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO HELP ME PLANT THAT. WE COULD PLANT IT TODAY RIGHT HERE BY THE MOTHER TREE, AND THEN IT'LL GROW REALLY FAST. WANT TO HELP ME?
Taviss says, AB-SO-LUTELY.
[Eric chuckling]
Eric says, OKAY, LET'S GET THIS GOING.
Taviss puts the tree in the hole and fills in the dirt. She and Eric smooth the dirt.
[Rustling]
Taviss says, I HOPE IT GROWS BIG AND STRONG, JUST LIKE ITS MOM.
Eric says, ME, TOO.
Eric gently shakes the seedling.
A flashback shows Eric and Taviss walking in the forest. They run up the hill to the mother tree and Eric cuts the acorn in half. They walk together, looking at trees. Taviss plants the seedling beside the mother tree.
Taviss narrates, MOTHER TREES ARE THE OLDEST TREES IN THE FOREST. THEIR STRONG TRAITS ARE PASSED THROUGH THEIR SEEDS, WHICH GROW INTO SEEDLINGS. AND THE MOTHER PROTECTS AND HELPS THEM AS THEY GROW.
IF WE CAN FIND THE ORIGINAL MOTHER TREES, WE CAN PLANT THEIR SEEDS AND HELP FILL THE FOREST WITH THE NATIVE SPECIES IT KNOWS AND LOVES.
Taviss says, THE SECRET IS OUT. MOTHER TREES ARE MAGNIFICENT!
[Inspiring plays]
Text reads, “Secrets of the Forest is grateful to work in the traditional territories of many different First Nations. We acknowledge their stewardship of these lands since time immemorial and our responsibility to ensure it is never forgotten.”
End credits. Directed by Melissa Peters. Created by Melissa Peters, Raj Panikkar, Christopher Szarka. Written by Melissa Peters. Produced by Raj Panikkar, Christopher Szarka. Featuring Taviss Paula Millington Edwards with Eric Davies. Logos: Fifth Ground Entertainment, T.V.O. Kids.
TVO Kids and Fifth Ground Entertainment, Original.
[Child giggles, joyful music plays, pop]
Text over video footage of a forest reads, “T.V.O. kids presents.”
Taviss, a ten-year-old girl, walks in a forest. Her curly, dark brown hair gathered at the top of her head. She wears a yellow vest, a brown shirt with pink flowers, and blue jeans. Light reflects off the top of rippling water.
[Birds chirping, water splashing]
Taviss narrates, IN A FOREST FULL OF TREES, SOME HAVE BEEN THERE SINCE THE BEGINNING. THEY'VE SURVIVED LIGHTNING STORMS AND LOGGING. THEIR OFFSPRING FILLS THE FOREST. THERE'S NO BETTER NAME FOR THIS MAGNIFICENT TREE THAN A MOTHER TREE.
[Upbeat music plays]
Taviss asks, WANT TO GO FIND ONE?
Taviss runs on a rocky beach beside a forest.
Title: Secrets of the Forest.
A drawing beside the title shows a girl sitting on green tree roots. She holds a magnifying glass and gazes towards the title.
In the forest, Taviss walks on an overgrown trail.
Taviss narrates, TODAY'S SECRET BRINGS US TO THE LAND OF MANY INDIGENOUS NATIONS. THE WENDAT, ANISHINAABEG, HAUDENOSAUNEE, AND MISSISSAUGAS OF THE CREDIT HAVE LIVED ON THIS LAND FOR CENTURIES.
Light reflects off the Don River by the Toronto campus of the Toronto French School. Behind the school, trees in the ravine have red, orange, yellow, and green leaves.
[Water splashes, upbeat music plays]
Taviss narrates, NOW, THIS RAVINE FOREST IS ON THE GROUNDS OF T.F.S., CANADA'S INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, IN TORONTO, ONTARIO. IT'S THE PERFECT PLACE TO SEARCH FOR THE ORIGINAL TREE OF THE FOREST - THE MOTHER TREE.
In the forest, Eric Davies lowers his binoculars. His tousled grey hair is short, and he wears a red vest over a dark blue sweater. He taps a branch against a tree trunk.
[Chiming, nocking]
Taviss narrates, AND ERIC DAVIES IS THE PERFECT PERSON TO LEAD THE SEARCH. ERIC IS A SCIENTIST WHO IS A BIT LIKE A DETECTIVE. HE IS CONSTANTLY ON THE HUNT FOR MAGNIFICENT MOTHER TREES. DID SOMEBODY SAY EPIC TREE HUNT? OH, I DID. WELL, I'M IN!
In the forest, Taviss and Eric meet on the rocky riverbank.
[Gentle music plays]
Eric says, I'M GLAD TO HAVE ANOTHER DETECTIVE ON THE CASE TODAY. I'VE GOT A MAP HERE WITH ALL THE TREES I'VE MAPPED OUT.
Eric shows Taviss his smartphone. Dots on a map show his mapped trees.
Taviss says, WHOA, THAT'S A LOT.
Eric says, YEAH, BUT THERE'S NOTHING AROUND HERE, SO I'M HOPING WE CAN FIND ANOTHER ONE AND ADD IT TO THE MAP.
Taviss says, WELL, I'M DOWN TO BE A DETECTIVE FOR THE DAY.
Eric says, LET'S GO, DETECTIVE.
Taviss narrates, THE NAME'S TAVISS, DETECTIVE TAVISS.
In the forest, Taviss jumps over a fallen tree.
[Rustling]
Taviss asks, SO, WHY ARE THEY CALLED MOTHER TREES? THEY DON'T HAVE BABIES, DO THEY?
Eric replies, YEAH, THEY KIND OF DO. THEY'RE THE OLDEST TREES IN THE FOREST, AND THEY'RE THE BIGGEST AND STRONGEST ONES OUT THERE.
AND EVERY FEW YEARS, THEY PRODUCE SEEDS THAT'LL HAVE THE SAME GENES AS THEIR PARENTS, AND IT'LL MAKE THEM GROW BIG AND STRONG.
Taviss says, I KIND OF LIKE HOW I GOT MY MOM'S STRONG ARMS.
Eric replies, YEAH, JUST LIKE THAT.
Taviss flexes her muscles.
[Dinging]
Taviss narrates, YEP, I GOT IT FROM MY MAMA.
[Eric chuckling]
Eric and Taviss crouch beside a tree.
[Upbeat music plays]
Eric says, UNDERGROUND, THE FOREST IS CONNECTED THROUGH MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI, AND THOSE FUNGI IS WHAT THE TREES USE TO COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER AND TRANSPORT NUTRIENTS AROUND THE FOREST. AND THE MOTHER TREES USE THAT FUNGI TO HELP THE WHOLE FOREST OUT. BUT THEY FAVOUR THEIR OWN YOUNG BY PREVENTING OTHER PLANTS FROM PUTTING THEIR ROOTS DOWN.
[Whooshing]
In an animation, a red-eyed leafy plant looks at the ground.
The leafy plant says, OH, NICE SPOT.
A mother tree and a large-eyed young tree stand close together. Green light pulses along the mother tree’s roots.
[Slide whistle]
The mother tree says, GET LOST.
The leafy plant says, AWW, MAN.
The leafy plant walks away.
The young tree says, THANKS, MAMA.
[Whooshing]
[Upbeat music plays]
Taviss says, I DIDN'T KNOW TREES CAN HELP OTHER TREES.
Eric says, AMAZING, EH? THE THING IS, IS A LOT OF THE BIG MOTHER TREES ARE BEING CUT DOWN BECAUSE THEY ARE SO GOOD. AND WHEN YOU LOSE THE MOTHER TREES IN THE FOREST, BABIES DON'T GROW, AS WELL. SO, WE NEED TO FIND MORE OF THESE MOTHER TREES AND KEEP THEM IN THE FOREST.
Eric and Taviss step over fallen branches as they walk down a steep hill.
[Rustling, upbeat music plays softly]
Eric says, RAVINES LIKE THIS ARE GREAT PLACES TO FIND MOTHER TREES. THEY'RE WILD, INCREDIBLE PLACES.
Taviss asks, WHY'S THAT?
Eric says, WELL, BECAUSE HUMANS HAVE NEVER REALLY BUILT IN THEM BEFORE. STEEP SLOPES LIKE THIS ARE NOT GREAT PLACES TO PUT BUILDINGS.
Taviss and Eric run and leap down the rest of the hill.
Taviss narrates, NOT GOOD FOR BUILDINGS, VERY GOOD FOR PLAYING.
A montage shows rocks in a desert, a giraffe, mist rising off a river, mountains, blue water splashing against a shore. Text reads, “Where in the World?”
[Exciting percussive music plays]
Taviss narrates, GUESS WHERE ONE OF THE WORLD'S LARGEST RAVINE SYSTEM IS?
On a world map, a red dot shows the location of Toronto in Ontario.
[Popping]
Taviss narrates, IN TORONTO, CANADA. PRETTY SWEET, EH?
THERE'S ALSO A PRETTY SWEET RAVINE WAY DOWN IN SOUTH AMERICA,
IN THE COUNTRY OF CHILE.
On the world map, Chile is highlighted in dark green.
[Whooshing]
Taviss narrates, IN ONE OF CHILE'S NATIONAL PARKS, DEEP IN A PROTECTED RAVINE, SCIENTISTS HAVE FOUND WHAT THEY THINK MAY BE THE OLDEST TREE ON EARTH.
In a lush forest, three people stand on a path by a huge cypress tree.
Taviss narrates, THIS HUGE PATAGONIAN CYPRESS TREE IS ESTIMATED TO BE OVER 5,480 YEARS OLD! I'M GONNA CALL THAT THE MOTHER OF ALL MOTHER TREES.
[Slide whistles]
[Whooshing, upbeat music plays]
In the forest, Taviss and Eric walk on a dirt path.
Taviss asks, SO, HOW WILL WE KNOW A MOTHER TREE WHEN WE SEE IT?
Eric says, WELL, A GREAT WAY TO START IS LOOKING FOR SOMETHING THAT REALLY STANDS OUT IN THE FOREST.
In an animation, small trees stand in a row. In the middle is a tall tree.
[Trees humming, majestic music plays]
[Whooshing]
[Upbeat music plays]
in the forest, Eric says, WELL, THAT COULD BE A BIG TRUNK OR IT COULD BE A HUGE SUPER CANOPY UP IN THE TREE OR SOMETIMES, JUST SOMETHING THAT STANDS OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FOREST.
Taviss asks, LIKE THAT ONE?
Eric says, KIND OF LIKE THAT ONE.
Taviss says, ITS BARK LOOKS DIFFERENT THAN THE OTHERS.
Taviss and Eric touch diamond-patterned grey bark on a tree trunk.
[Rustling]
Eric says, YEAH, IT'S A REALLY DISTINCTIVE BARK. SEE HOW IT'S GOT THESE DIAMOND PATTERNS IN IT? AND THAT GREY COLOUR, SO, I CAN TELL IT'S BLACK WALNUT FROM THAT.
Taviss asks, SO, IS IT A MOTHER TREE?
Eric says, NOT QUITE YET. BLACK WALNUTS GROW REALLY BIG, AND THEY LIVE FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS, SO THIS ONE'S STILL A BIT OF A YOUNG ONE.
Taviss says, SO, LET'S KEEP SEARCHING THEN.
Eric says, LET'S GO, DETECTIVE.
Taviss narrates, THE HUNT CONTINUES.
Taviss and Eric walk up a hill.
Taviss narrates, WE'RE ON TO YOU, MOTHER TREES. THE MOTHER TREE HAS GOT TO BE HERE.
[Taviss gasping]
Taviss says, JACKPOT! ERIC, I THINK I FOUND IT!
Eric puts his hands on his hips and looks up.
Eric says, OH, WOW. I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT. LET'S GO CHECK IT OUT.
Taviss and Eric run up the hill and stop beside a tall tree with a thick trunk. Eric pats the trunk.
[Tapping, upbeat music plays softly]
Eric says, THIS IS A RED OAK - ONE OF THE BIGGEST NATIVE TREES IN THE RAVINES.
Taviss asks, HOW CAN YOU TELL WHAT KIND OF TREE IT IS?
Eric says, WELL, IF YOU LOOK AT THE BOTTOM, YOU SEE HOW IT'S ALL BROKEN UP AND REALLY KIND OF CLUMPY?
Taviss nods.
Eric says, BUT IF YOU LOOK UP TOP, YOU'LL SEE THE SMOOTH PARTS AND THE BARK ARE STILL THERE. SO, THAT'S HOW WE KNOW IT'S A RED OAK.
Taviss asks, DO YOU THINK IT'S A MOTHER TREE?
Eric says, I THINK IT MIGHT BE. IF YOU LOOK OUT OVER THE RAVINES HERE, SEE HOW THERE'S NOT MANY TREES THIS BIG? SO, THIS ONE IS PROBABLY A REAL MOTHER TREE.
Taviss says, AWESOME!
Taviss sings, WE FOUND A MOTHER TREE.
WE FOUND A MOTHER TREE.
Taviss asks, SO, NOW DO WE START MAPPING?
Eric says, YOU GOT IT. WELL, FIRST WHAT WE'LL DO IS WE'LL TAKE ALL THE
MEASUREMENTS OF THE TREE. AND THAT WAY WE CAN SEE HOW IT GROWS OVER TIME.
Taviss asks, HOW DO WE DO THAT? IT'S HUGE!
Eric explains, I BROUGHT SOME SPECIAL TOOLS. THIS IS CALLED A DIAMETER TAPE, AND IT CAN TELL US HOW WIDE THE TREE IS. DO YOU WANT TO HELP ME DO THAT?
Taviss says, YES, PLEASE!
Eric says, OKAY. I'M GOING TO HOOK IT ONTO THE TREE LIKE THIS, AND MAYBE WE'LL GO A LITTLE HIGHER. YOU'VE GOT TO WALK ALL THE WAY AROUND THE TREE.
Eric keeps his thumb on the end of the diameter tape and holds it against the tree. Taviss takes the roll and walks around the tree, then gives it to Eric.
[High-pitched, sped-up speech]
Eric says, GOOD JOB. OKAY, COME ON BACK AROUND. LET'S SEE HOW BIG IT IS. OKAY, NOW, CAN YOU READ OFF THAT NUMBER RIGHT AT THE ZERO?
Taviss says, 103 CENTIMETRES.
Eric says, THAT'S HUGE. IT'S PROBABLY A PRETTY OLD TREE.
Taviss says, I'M ALSO GOING TO MEASURE IT IN HUG LENGTH, JUST TO COVER ALL THE GROUND, YOU KNOW?
Eric says, GOOD IDEA.
In an animation, a sign on a tree trunk reads, “Free hugs.”
[Creaking]
The tree says, FREE HUGS! FREE HUGS!
In the forest, Taviss moves around the tree, hugging it.
Taviss narrates, HUG LENGTHS IS AN OFFICIAL METHOD OF MEASUREMENT, BY THE WAY.
[High-pitched, sped-up speech]
Taviss says, FOUR. I CAN OFFICIALLY REPORT THIS TREE IS FOUR TAVISS HUG LENGTHS.
Eric says, GREAT. VERY SCIENTIFIC. I LIKE IT.
[Whooshing]
Taviss sits on a large root at the bottom of the tree. Eric holds a rod.
Eric says, SO, THIS TOOL WILL TELL US HOW OLD THE TREE IS. THIS IS AN INCREMENT BORER. YOU KNOW HOW TREES GROW TALLER EVERY YEAR? EVERY YEAR, THEY PUT ON A NEW RING AND GET WIDER. SO, THIS TOOL IS A DRILL THAT WE CAN GO IN AND WE CAN TAKE A CORE SAMPLE AND COUNT THE RINGS. YOU WANT TO HELP ME DO THAT?
Taviss says, YEAH!
[Upbeat music plays]
Eric says, OKAY. FIND A GOOD SPOT.
Eric puts the borer against the tree trunk and turns it. When it is firmly in the bark, he lets go, and Taviss grabs the handles.
Eric says, OKAY, IT'S A BIT-- IT'S A BIT HARD, BUT YOU CAN DO IT. THROW ALL YOUR WEIGHT IN THERE. WOW, GOOD JOB. HERE, I'LL GET ONE SIDE.
Eric and Taviss turn the borer together. Taviss lets go, and Eric turns it.
[Creaking]
Eric says, REALLY TOUGH WOOD.
Taviss says, YOU GOT THIS, ERIC!
[Creaking, Eric laughing]
Eric says, OKAY, LET'S TAKE IT OUT.
Eric slides the sample out of the middle of the boring tube.
Taviss says, WHOA, THAT'S A LOT.
Eric says, I THINK THIS LOOKS LIKE A MOTHER TREE.
Taviss says, DEFINITELY.
Eric says, WOW! LOOK AT ALL THOSE RINGS.
Taviss says, THAT'S SO COOL.
Eric says, DO YOU WANT TO GO DOWN AND COUNT IT, SEE IF IT'S OVER A HUNDRED?
Taviss says, YEAH!
Eric says, OKAY, LET'S GO.
They sit on the large tree root.
Tavis counts, ONE, TWO, THREE...
Both count ...38, 39, 40...68, 69...105, 106, 107...130, 131, 132!
Taviss says excitedly, THIS TREE IS 132 YEARS OLD!
Eric says, THAT CONFIRMS IT. THIS IS A MOTHER TREE.
Taviss says, OH, YEAH.
Eric looks up at the tree and says, OH, WOW.
In an animation, four small trees grow close to a larger tree.
[Creaking]
A voice says, FOREST MAMA IN THE HOUSE. OOH, OOH!
In the forest, Eric pats the tree trunk.
[Patting]
Eric asks, YOU KNOW WHAT I DO WHEN I FIND A TREE THIS BIG?
Taviss asks, WHAT?
Eric says, LOOK FOR THE SEEDS.
Taviss asks, WHERE ARE WE GOING TO GET THOSE?
Eric points at the top of the tree.
[Whooshing]
At the base of the tree, Taviss lies on her stomach and examines the large tree root through a magnifying glass. Eric stands beside her, peering up at the top of the tree through his binoculars.
[Upbeat music plays]
[Dinging]
Taviss narrates, NO BIG DEAL. JUST USING MY SPECIAL DETECTIVE TOOL TO BE A STRAIGHT-UP SEED INVESTIGATOR.
Eric says, YOU KNOW, TREES DON'T PRODUCE SEEDS EVERY YEAR, SO YOU HAVE TO LEARN HOW TO PREDICT THEM. I CALL THAT SEED FORECASTING.
Taviss finds an acorn under a leaf and picks it up.
Taviss says, WAIT. IS THIS IT?
Eric takes the acorn and sits down beside Taviss.
Eric says, OH, WOW. YEAH. THAT IS A RED OAK ACORN. WE'LL CUT IT OPEN AND SEE HOW GOOD IT IS.
Eric cuts the acorn in half.
Taviss says, WHOA!
Eric asks, DOES IT LOOK GOOD?
Taviss says, YES. KIND OF LOOKS LIKE COCONUT.
[Eric laughing]
Eric says, YEAH, IT DOES. SO, THAT'S A GOOD SEED. IF WE PLANT THIS, IT'LL GROW INTO A BIG OAK TREE LIKE THAT.
Taviss says, THAT'S SERIOUSLY SO COOL.
Text reads, “The Fun Factor.”
[Rock music plays]
In the forest, Taviss piles branches into Eric’s arms.
Taviss narrates, CHECK OUT ALL THESE LOGS AND BRANCHES. YOU KNOW WHAT I'M GOING TO DO! BUILD THE BEST FORT EVER.
[Branches rustling]
Taviss says, THAT'S FANTASTIC.
Taviss and Eric build a lean-to made of branches.
[Branches rustling]
Taviss says, WHOA.
Eric says, OH, NICE ONE. HERE'S ONE.
Taviss says, YEAH!
They sit in the lean-to fort. They both wipe their hands and then high-five.
[Clapping, hands slapping]
Eric asks, YOU DIDN'T BRING ANY SNACKS OR ANYTHING, DID YOU?
Taviss says, OH, YEAH.
Eric says, WHAT?!
Taviss puts a bag of potato chips on the ground. They both take chips out of the bag.
Eric says, OH!
Taviss says, THIS IS THE LIFE.
Eric says, THIS IS THE LIFE.
[Chips crunching, whooshing]
In the darkening forest, Eric and Taviss kneel beside a hole by the mother tree. Taviss balances a small tree on her knee.
Eric says, OKAY, TAV, I GOT A CONFESSION.
[Alarmed music plays]
Taviss narrates, HE'S NOT REALLY A SCIENTIST. HE'S A ZOMBIE! JUST KIDDING.
Eric pats the tree trunk.
[Patting]
Eric says, I KNEW THIS MOTHER TREE WAS HERE THE WHOLE TIME. I ACTUALLY FOUND IT THREE YEARS AGO, AND WHEN I FOUND IT, IT HAD SEEDS. SO, I COLLECTED THE SEEDS AND GREW THAT SEEDLING RIGHT THERE.
Taviss narrates, OKAY, MAYBE I WAS TRICKED, BUT THAT'S PRETTY AWESOME.
Eric says, SO, I THOUGHT, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO HELP ME PLANT THAT. WE COULD PLANT IT TODAY RIGHT HERE BY THE MOTHER TREE, AND THEN IT'LL GROW REALLY FAST. WANT TO HELP ME?
Taviss says, AB-SO-LUTELY.
[Eric chuckling]
Eric says, OKAY, LET'S GET THIS GOING.
Taviss puts the tree in the hole and fills in the dirt. She and Eric smooth the dirt.
[Rustling]
Taviss says, I HOPE IT GROWS BIG AND STRONG, JUST LIKE ITS MOM.
Eric says, ME, TOO.
Eric gently shakes the seedling.
A flashback shows Eric and Taviss walking in the forest. They run up the hill to the mother tree and Eric cuts the acorn in half. They walk together, looking at trees. Taviss plants the seedling beside the mother tree.
Taviss narrates, MOTHER TREES ARE THE OLDEST TREES IN THE FOREST. THEIR STRONG TRAITS ARE PASSED THROUGH THEIR SEEDS, WHICH GROW INTO SEEDLINGS. AND THE MOTHER PROTECTS AND HELPS THEM AS THEY GROW.
IF WE CAN FIND THE ORIGINAL MOTHER TREES, WE CAN PLANT THEIR SEEDS AND HELP FILL THE FOREST WITH THE NATIVE SPECIES IT KNOWS AND LOVES.
Taviss says, THE SECRET IS OUT. MOTHER TREES ARE MAGNIFICENT!
[Inspiring plays]
Text reads, “Secrets of the Forest is grateful to work in the traditional territories of many different First Nations. We acknowledge their stewardship of these lands since time immemorial and our responsibility to ensure it is never forgotten.”
End credits. Directed by Melissa Peters. Created by Melissa Peters, Raj Panikkar, Christopher Szarka. Written by Melissa Peters. Produced by Raj Panikkar, Christopher Szarka. Featuring Taviss Paula Millington Edwards with Eric Davies. Logos: Fifth Ground Entertainment, T.V.O. Kids.
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