Robinson, David G.David G.RobinsonAmmer, ChristianChristianAmmerPolle, AndreaAndreaPolleSteer, MartinMartinSteeret al.2024-02-072024-02-072023 Elsev2024-01-03Trends in Plant Sciencehttp://hdl.handle.net/10197/25391There are growing doubts about the true role of the common mycorrhizal networks (CMN or wood wide web) connecting the roots of trees in forests. We question the claims of a substantial carbon transfer from ‘mother trees’ to their offspring and nearby seedlings through the CMN. Recent reviews show that evidence for the ‘mother tree concept’ is inconclusive or absent. The origin of this concept seems to stem from a desire to humanize plant life but can lead to misunderstandings and false interpretations and may eventually harm rather than help the commendable cause of preserving forests. Two recent books serve as examples: The Hidden Life of Trees and Finding the Mother Tree.enThis is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Trends in Plant Science. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Trends in Plant Science (29, 1 (2024)) DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tplants.2023.08.010AnthropomorphismCommon mycorrhizal networksForest managementMother tree conceptPublication policyJournal Article291203110.1016/j.tplants.2023.08.010https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/ie/