Category: Bernart’s Research Notes

Thoughts and observations from the research notes of Grad Bernart of the Labyrinth

The Love Poetry of Trees

Photo: Jonny Hughes/Flickr Creative Commons As some of you may recall, I've been working my way through the research diaries of Grad Bernart. Bernart is, of course, most famous for his breakthroughs in communicating with trees. While his early discoveries about tree behaviour were quite shocking, it seems the grad eventually reconciled both his conscience … Continue reading The Love Poetry of Trees →

Investigating Poplar Culture (yes, I mean poplar, as in the trees)

Photo by Zohairasad CC BY-SA 3.0 Time for another excerpt from Grad Bernart’s research notes. This week, his sanity is tried by a poplar grove. Here goes: “After my experiences with the rowans and ash coppices, I approached the poplars with decidedly low expectations. I can say only that, once again, I was surprised. Not … Continue reading Investigating Poplar Culture (yes, I mean poplar, as in the trees) →

Sense of Self in an Ash Coppice

Last week, we saw how the rowans provided the key to Grad Bernart’s deciphering of the language of the trees. This week, we begin to discover just how weird trees are, as Bernart describes his encounters with an old ash coppice. (If you’re not sure what a coppice is, here’s a link to Wikipedia.) From … Continue reading Sense of Self in an Ash Coppice →

The Psychology of Trees: Part 1, the Rowan

Photo by Mr Xerty at Unsplash I’ve got another update on Grad Bernart’s research notes. After his initial horror at the trees’ slaughter of one another, the grad seems to have come to terms with their violent natures and continued his study of tree language and behaviour. Here is an excerpt from his conclusions: “At … Continue reading The Psychology of Trees: Part 1, the Rowan →

On Trees, Bees and Ocarinas

Image by Mauricio Estrella CC 3 I think I'm becoming addicted to Grad Bernart's research notes. This week as I was going through his stuff I found an amazing collection of artefacts tucked away in a box. There’s a tiny bellows and a collection of even tinier ampules, each of which contains a blend of … Continue reading On Trees, Bees and Ocarinas →

An early Halloween story, inspired by Oliver Rackham’s “Woodlands”

© Nevit Dilmen. CC BY-SA 3.0 As some of you know, I have been working my way through Grad Bernart’s research notes, preparing them for publication in a new, critical edition. A few weeks ago, I told you about (and stupidly tried) one of the grad’s experiments in communicating with trees. Here is a follow … Continue reading An early Halloween story, inspired by Oliver Rackham’s “Woodlands” →

Pandora’s Music Box (or The Song of the Trees)

© Nevit Dilmen. CC BY-SA 3.0 While going through Grad Bernart’s research diaries, I recently came across an odd little box. It’s an elegant thing, made of wood—several different varieties, by the look of it—and intricately carved with forest scenes. It sits comfortably in the hand and has a small, wooden crank on one side. … Continue reading Pandora’s Music Box (or The Song of the Trees) →

The Good, the Bad, the Termites

Photo courtesy CSIRO CC 3.0 Howdy folks. Today, I've got another entry from Grad Bernart's research diaries. For once, he seems to be reasonably happy with his progress. Enjoy!   The good news is, my research into the language of ants might actually yield some useful results. The bad news is, I’m surrounded by idiots. … Continue reading The Good, the Bad, the Termites →

When is a rose not a rose?

Photo by Andrea Pol on Unsplash Here's another excerpt from the diaries of Grad Bernart. It's a little frustrating, how much he leaves unsaid at the end, but I promise to update you as soon as I find anything relating to the mysterious message. Here goes: It started with the curious package I received today. … Continue reading When is a rose not a rose? →