“Why are there trees I never walk under but large and melodious thoughts descend upon me?
(I think they hang there winter and summer and always drop fruit as I pass;)”
Walt Whitman, “Song Of The Open Road”
I have found that many trees, especially if their roots aren’t exposed, have a slight mound of earth where the trunk meets the ground that makes a natural seat. It’s like sitting on a meditation cushion, only one provided by the tree and earth, as if an invitation.
Meditating under the big old apple tree in the yard one morning, instead of focusing on my breath, I listened to the apple tree, so see what it had to tell me.
What came was the thought of how trees cannot move from where they grow. Yet, no matter what goes on around them, wind, drought, fire, floods, disease, humans with chainsaws, they do their best to live their lives to the fullest.
Not that trees don’t have some ways of protecting themselves, or that they are passive.
I have read how trees send out signals in the form of nutrients and chemicals through the fungal network under the soil. They can support and warn the trees around them when there is a need. They are also always busy growing, creating and dropping seeds.
Even in their dormant winter state, trees are still working to keep themselves from freezing. Even when they are dying trees give off nutrients to the smaller trees around them. And when they do die, they become food for insects, a home for animals, and eventually decay, enriching the forest floor so other trees can grow.
But they can’t run from danger, chose another place to live, or just walk away.
Their power is in their rootedness. In their ability to endure, adapt, heal and regenerate.
I have always felt the strength of trees. Sitting in their arms for comfort when I was a kid. Getting to know them as neighbors where ever I lived.
And now visiting them in the woods behind the farm. As if I am welcomed there as much as the spiders, the quartered shells of the hickory nuts and last years leaves. As if I belong.
It makes me wonder if the trees listen to me, the way I am learning to listen to them.
Peace found here.
Lovely Forest Silhouette Maria
:)
This post really touched me. We have had so many trees taken down around my little town due to 3 new big buildings going up. Last count was 37 cut down. Really has broken my heart. This morning I decided to walk,past the church where there are 7 large trees. I heard so many birds in there and brought a smile to my face.
I know just how you feel about the trees Barb. When I lived in the suburbs the trees were scarce enough to get to know them. And when they came down it felt awful. Now I burn firewood and I think of the trees that I’m using to keep warm. I try to thank them. We have so many trees growing around us and I know some of the wood we burn comes from the town north of us. I’m so glad you were able to smile at the 7 trees with all those birds. I can almost picture them.
Thank you for this thought about the firewood to keep,you warm. It is a cycle of life I guess in some ways just as with wild animals. Though still too much chopping down without thought at times too. have thanked the trees that have come down for all the joy they brought me.
Joy and warmth all appreciated Barb. :)