From the Tree of Life on the Washington coast…
to the sequoias that can be thousands of years old…
trees have not only endured, nourished, and given us life…
they have enriched our lives with incredible beauty as well.
Like wildflowers, trees have been known to grow in the harshest of places.
When we think about how trees adapt to the seasons of the year, we can learn invaluable lessons about the seasons of our own lives.
Leaves wouldn’t survive the winter months and would make the trees vulnerable to damage. Trees also lose their leaves so that the weight of the snow won’t be heavy enough to break the branches.
When we look to the wisdom stored deep inside of trees, we are reminded that they are connected below the ground by a fungus that lives symbiotically within the roots of the tree. Just like us, they need and depend on each other to survive.
Older trees pass nutrients to younger ones and send out warnings for the survival of all. They share with the other species that are different from their own to make certain that the entire forest is healthy.
Even the soundscapes deep within a forest can be mesmerizing. There are actual harmonic vibrations that reverberate from inside a Sitka spruce log that creates an entire tapestry of sounds. In the Hoh Rain Forest in Washington state, there is an actual humming noise that is made by the conifer needles. Within the silence in a forest, every tree is busier than we know communicating with each other and contributing to life.
There have been proverbs through the ages that tell us how there is beauty in the leaves…but that real strength of the tree is in its roots…in its very soul. I heard a wonderful story the other day about a man who loved trees and felt the trees around him were truly his close friends. He said that when he approached a certain grove of trees close to his house, the leaves always started waving at him. There wouldn’t be a hint of wind or the slightest breeze…but the leaves beckoned him. Experts came to witness and study his phenomenon, and no one could explain it. Plain and simple, they were his friends.
“When the roots are deep…there is no reason to fear the wind.” Chinese Proverb
Redwoods and sequoia are the world’s tallest and oldest living organisms. Dating back to the age of the dinosaurs, they can live for more than 2,000 years, and tower 350 feet while supporting a massive tapestry of life affirming species within their mighty branches.
Cathedral rings of new trees sprout from toppled logs that can live for centuries. A redwood trunk can stand for 200 years and provide shelter for an array of animals, while moistening the soil during dry months.
Even a decaying trunk can lie on a forest floor and keep the forest alive. Like the giant trees in the Pacific Northwest, they make and release oxygen that connects both humans and animals, supporting the miracle of life.
A wonderful book called Nature Speaks tells us that ‘we are all woven together in the same web…break a strand and every life will eventually feel it.’
In my upcoming coffee table book, I talk about forest bathing and the meditative therapy that both water and trees provide.
Taking a forest bathing trip is even more meaningful if there are streams to follow and listen to, or bridges to cross. Go early in the morning, if possible. Wear shoes that support and yet let you feel the earth. Walk slowly…noticing the smallest details. Stop frequently and touch what is around you.
Breathe in the elixir of the forest…feel the moss and the bark of the trees…reach out and touch the earth. Take a camera or a journal and record your thoughts. And, take time for deep breathing…
The elixir of the forest…think of it as a soothing bath that restores your soul. “ If you trust in the forest, your life will change.” Anon.
They used to ask Jane Goodall how she dealt with such a tumultuous world and she would reply: “It is the peace of the forest that I carry within..”
Here is a little poem that I wrote for a children’s book that is truly for everyone:
TREE TALKIN’
When you spend all your time…trying to please,
And nothing goes right…go talk to the trees.
They know what it’s like…to feel empty and bare,
When you feel like an answer…is not really there…
Trees will remind you…spring always renews,
There’s a pattern to life…even for you.
A perfect metaphor for endurance is the Tree of Life found along a stretch of beach in Washington State. An immense Sitka spruce, it appears to be suspended in air over an eroded cliff, clinging to life by its roots. The roots that cling to the sand cliffs should not be strong enough to support the massive trunk and towering branches; let alone sustain its vibrant color. But, to date, it stands strong, despite all of the storms and winds that sweep onto the Washington shore.
“In nature nothing is perfect and yet everything is perfect. Trees can be bent and contorted and they’re still beautiful.” Alice Walker
A single mature tree can give off enough oxygen for ten people for one entire year. So, hug a tree today, and give thanks for the very air that we breathe. Plant trees whenever you can. What a wonderful way to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries…planting trees of life. I have a flowering plum in my yard that was planted for me on Mother’s Day, and it is very special!
A proverb tells us that…’to become strong, we must grow our roots amongst the rocks, like trees.’ So much of the wisdom of the world dwells deep in the forest.
It was George Washington who first said: “Blessed are men who plant trees whose shade they will never sit under..”
“We are all leaves of one tree; we are all waves of one sea.” Tich Nhat Hanh
Photographed In Utah, Colorado, California, The Pacific Northwest, and British Columbia.
Next week a special travelogue on September in Washington state…a personal love note to the beautiful area that I call home.
If you enjoyed this post, please share or consider a complimentary subscription.
What a lovely comment from a wonderful writer! I know what you mean about the mossy trees on Vancouver Island..the shots I used were from the peninsula in both the Hoh and Quinault rain forests. The one with the moss hung trees overhanging the water, is one of my favorite spots in the Quinault...it's called Maple Glen. Just love your comments!
Some of your photos remind me of the incredible forests along the west coast of Vancouver Island. Huge trees shrouded in moss and mist. Raven calls hang in the quiet of the fog for a moment then are absorbed into the canopy. The peace of mystery.