Branches embrace each other, groaning in a language long vanished from human comprehension. I stand entranced, watching the limbs of the ancient sycamore rub and flail about, lost in contemplation of one tree within a vast deciduous forest. Its grey bark shades to rufous around the wide girth. Where the scaly skin has peeled pallid undertones peek out. The semi-rough rind grates under my hand as I stroke its trunk, murmuring dulcet adorations to it. My feet yearn to climb up the sturdy boughs, up towards the sky. I trace the shallow sinuous path of its roots playing hide and seek in the undergrowth. They spread laterally, probing through dirt, a neural network of arboreal synapses. I listen to that peculiar rasping susurrus of leaves chattering as the wind ruffles them. The sound carries me to another time when this enigmatic place quivered with restless joy.
Mountains intimidate me with their austerity, oceans stupefy me with their infinity. Trees, however, comfort me with their resilience. I befriend them in my travels, I feel kinship with their permanent dream-state, I admire their uncompromising individuality. I can understand how the Celts held sacred rites in groves or why Egyptians believed the soul found afterlife bliss in a sylvan setting. Trees are one of the few left to possess primordial magic. Evergreens in their immortality, banyans in their illimitableness, oaks in their fortitude convey to us creation’s enchantment. In their variegated forms, in their regenerative prowess, in their union of celestial and nether, trees harken us back to that original Elysium where mortals and nature dwelt in harmony.
There is inherent value in a tree. If it never shelters animals from the tempest, if it refuses to shade weary travelers, if it rejects becoming lumber or pulp, if its food is inedible, if its sap is useless, if it depletes the supply of oxygen, it remains priceless. In Katsumi Komagata’s pop-up book, “Little Tree,” the graphic designer reveals how every tree stoically, openly undergoes the circle of life, thereby teaching us how to accept the organic rhythm and progression of existence. Though no one notices the seedling, it flourishes into a mature plant without self-loathing. When winter assaults with gale and precipitation, the adult version endures through to spring, without breaking under the onslaught. By its patient adaptability Komagata’s tree shows us how to manage complexity while living simply.
They belong to themselves, keenly aware of their particularities, selfish of their peculiar needs. Yet, they cohabit with profligate generosity. They manifest in myriad anatomies — no one would confuse a pine for a willow — while maintaining their essence. Their unique chemical ability, photosynthesis is harbinger of sustenance. Their crucial biomolecule chlorophyll’s inability to absorb the green spectrum is ingrained in our psyche as the hallmark of growth. They probe, grind, and heave under our feet. They split, stretch, and fling above our heads. Every movement performed, nonetheless, so imperceptibly that all the while we perceive trees as mute, abiding entities. They elicit memories, kindle our sacred senses. Trees are inextricably linked to our survival.
I think about trees often. Behind my childhood backyard, the copse of eastern hemlock slaughtered for real estate development haunts me. I dream about swinging from the crape-myrtle at my grandfather’s house, my arms brimming with its bright pink blossoms. Sometimes, the pungent throng of swaying eucalyptus dotting the coastal slope interrupts my work, stirring me with emotion I cannot decipher. I am besotted with the entire species. I do not have a favorite, for how shall I choose among their glory? An eager sapling in a parking lot gladdens my heart; a hoary beech arouses my veneration; a furtive taiga beguiles me. These arboreal wonders include me in the universe’s ebb and flow, allow me to revel in contradiction, lure me with glimpses of divine grandeur. In their presence I learn afresh sundry lessons. I love to be in their company in all seasons, to meditate at their feet, to discover the secret of their speech. I enter forests seeking affinity and solace, but when I leave I take with me the arcane import of another world.
TRAVEL NOTE:
Trees for Life is an organization dedicated to restoring the native Scottish Highland forests. Since 1989, through the help of volunteers, they have planted over one million indigenous trees in the region. Their ongoing programs include management of the Dundreggan Estate and the Woodland Ground Flora Project.
Do you have a favorite tree? Tell us a story about it in the comments below.
Bespoke Traveler 
My daughter (5 months old) has recently become fascinated by trees and got me to study them as I havent since I was a child. Many of my childhood memories revolve around fruit trees…mainly 1 guava tree but also neem, mango, umbrella and date trees. My favourites are the mythical baobabs – food source, yummy fruit and flowers as dolls. Nothing reminds me of my original home like the baobab
How absolutely wonderful to have grown up with memories of baobab trees! I have always wished to see them up close. I too have vivid memories of fruit trees as a child, among them mango and neem. Now that I rarely encounter them seeing one makes me extremely nostalgic. It makes me so very happy that your daughter is eager to study and explore trees with you. I hope it will be a lifetime bonding event for you both and renew your tree passion! Thank you for sharing your beautiful story with me.
Trees fascinate me, I can spend a whole day looking at them. So glad that I stumbled upon this post, which celebrates ‘Trees’ in this special manner.
Thank you so much. I too am excited that you stumbled upon my ode to trees. We tree-lovers need very little reason to run off to the woods. 🙂
If there is one thing to set a day right, it is reading a piece that reaches out and grabs you with its words, and you do this so very well with your opening sentence: “Branches embrace each other, groaning in a language long vanished from human comprehension” ~ simply perfect, and the photographs and philosophy that follows keeps this mood flowing. Great post.
Thank you so very much. What a thrill to know that my words had such an effect!
A heartfelt ode to the statliest inhabitants of the forest. I spent much of my childhood wandering the north woods, and feel the most at peace when I can escape into any tree kingdom. As for a favorite tree…I’d have to say sugar maple, especially when it’s aflame with autumn. 🍁
Ah, the sugar maple is a lovely specimen! A friend was recently lamenting the fact that his children no longer have the luxury of playing in the woods. The ones where he spent his youth are now replaced by houses and businesses. Thankfully, those happy days of exploring forests and using them as a setting for youthful imagination are not a thing of the past for me.
This is so beautiful! Thanks for taking me to the tranquil energy of the woods, right in the middle of my work day!
Thanks for taking the time to stop by and share your thoughts!
I simply love the way that your writing and photographs take me away, along with your soundtrack to enhance the experience. I am enamored with trees. Thank you.
Thank you! I too am enamored of trees and my hope is that my little story will help others remember how wonderful & precious they are.
They are indeed. Education is key– for all things especially in the natural world.
Yum! I love trees. Fantastic photo of the trunk.
Thanks for the awareness of the beauty of trees in our world, the photos are stunning.
Every tree has its charm, elegance & statuesquesness, thank you for making your readers be aware of their importance in our world, we seem take them for granted, not anymore!
Hey, I literally like your posts so much…
You just liked my blog n it’s reason enough for me to go nuts!….thanks a lot…
🙂 You are very welcome. Thank you for your kind comment. I’m thrilled to hear that you enjoy my stories!
Wish everyone felt this way
I’m afraid I’ve come late to the admiration of trees. I always took them very much for granted. But now I’m beginning to see the wonder. 🙂
I too took them for granted when I was younger. It wasn’t until I began to live in areas where there are no trees that I appreciated having them around.
I did not realise that audio was playing – I thought my laptop was breaking/about to explode! But I love the photos, especially the composition of the last one.
LOL. I wanted to give readers a sense of what it felt like to be in the woods the way I heard it. But I did realize since it is ambient sound and not music, many might be confused about what was happening! 🙂
Once I worked out what was going on I really enjoyed it 🙂
Simply beautiful! Thanks for share these words! Catalin
I shudder when I see someone brazenly wasting paper. I don’t think of myself as a conservationist, but if you only need half or a quarter of a piece, how can you just scrawl 2 words and throw out a whole sheet or the same with paper towels? I don’t have any problem when a piece of paper is really used. In that case, I don’t think twice about it, but when it’s wasted, I think, “But it’s a tree!”
How beautiful our world would be if everyone realized, “But it’s a tree!” while using paper products or building real estate. It’s getting rare to even find houses with gardens or a little bit of tree decorated land attached to them.