Review of "Living With Trees" by Geetanjali Dighe

"Living With Trees" by Geetanjali Dighe appeared in Daily Science Fiction on February 25, 2013.  A planet survey cadet from a post-apocolyptic earth faces a dilemma concerning his duty to report the existence of an earth-like planet covered with a sentient, collectively conscious forest.

I have seen science fiction stories like this before--Nemesis by Isaac Asimov, and "Surrounded by the Mutant Rainforest" by Bruce Boston (appeared in DSF August 16, 2012 and reviewed in Songs of Eretz August 20, 2012) come immediately to mind.  There is also a Star Trek TNG episode (whose title escapes me) about a planetary consciousness.  Ms. Dighe's story is certainly well-written and well-paced but does not offer much that is terribly new on this theme.  4 out of 7 rocket-dragons.