Favorite Things, Garden, Grief, Life, Soul Homework, Universe

trees

Kari

from the poem “locust” by julia alvarez
@carrieradford

The most wholesome and appropriate reaction to the colorado aspens in the fall

♬ glimpse – Vraell
i agree 🖤
source

i made a playlist dedicated to trees a while ago. if you’d like to listen to it, head here.

The Songs of Trees: A Biologist’s Lyrical Ode to How Relationships Weave the Fabric of Life

Trees Form Friendships and Remember Their Experiences

That tree over there

The Healing Power Of Trees. And Yes, I’m A Tree Hugger

from the poem “praise” by kelli russell agodon

my friend jill recently lost her father, and one of the ways she shared to remember him was this tree memorial. this is an incredible way to honor loved ones, and i wanted to share it with you.

Planting Memorial Trees in National Forests – The Trees Remember

@somethinglikebeamused

Even the way they move in the wind is elephant-esque! #elephant #nature #whatthattrunkdo

♬ original sound – Bea Mused
but look at those trees🖤

i was talking to my dear friend maddie in the comments about our mutual love of trees, and we were talking about how jack hanna, in his alzheimer state, talks to the trees during his daily walks.

my friend maddie said this:

“Speaking of plants… I read that Jack Hanna (yes! That guy your grandparents watched on Carson & let you stay up to see bc cute baby animals + Carson = giddy beyond all reason grandkids) has Alzheimer’s (I know 😢) & on his daily walks he stops to talk to the trees. I can totally relate. Trees just see and listen and give love.”

to which i replied:

…I was watching a TikTok about an old tree falling into a river because it was dying (while high last summer), and I felt all of my ancestors in that tree. Marijuana hallucination? Totally. However, I believe that hallucination is what humans say to justify what the universe/soul/magic is doing. We misplaced that magic somewhere along the way. I also have a theory about Alzheimer patients and them seeing behind the veil while alive. I felt like the Jack Hanna tree story all came together in the comment section.

here is that tiktok:

@justjake85

I was at work today and heard some loud pops and cracks coming from a tree by the river, talk about right place, right time!!! #fyp #timber

♬ original sound – Jacob Cordell
source

Melbourne’s trees bombarded with emailed love letters

A Forthcoming Book Turns a New Leaf On Remarkable Photographs of Trees From Around the World

Photographer’s Incredible Images of Ancient Baobab Trees

Tree of Wisdom

The World’s 10 Oldest Living Trees

Trees Are a ‘Must-Have’ Medicine When Addressing Mental Health

and though this is sad:

source

England’s Beloved Sycamore Gap Tree Has Been Chopped Down

it makes my heart happy that so many people love trees so very much that it broke hearts when it was chopped down.

this quote from the article:

“i know a lot of people will say, ‘it’s just a tree,’ but it’s so much more.”

yes, it is.

jack hanna talking to his trees 🖤

my favorite trees are (in no particular order):

long leaf pine (which is now considered endangered)

red maple

paper birch

*palm (my absolute favorite tree. sorry to the other trees)

*added after publishing

which trees are your favorites?

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53 thoughts on “trees”

  1. Beautiful post! I love trees and find such solace in their steady, strong beauty. My favourite is the American elm. They were the primary tree species planted throughout Winnipeg 100-120 years ago. Many have been lost to disease but half-decent management has kept them from being wiped out. We have three very large ones on our property and I enjoy just gazing at them.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you so much, Steve! I’m sorry that so many elms have died from disease up there. Many years ago, we lost many ash trees in the Chicago area to an Emerald ash borer beetle. We had a beautiful ash tree in our front yard that had to be cut down due to beetle damage. My heart was broken, but our town replanted an elm for us! It’s tall and lovely now, just like the ash. I can see why you enjoy yours so much. 🖤

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thank you. The emerald ash borers have made their way here too. Now our city is diversifying tree species to avoid what’s been happening with the elm and ash trees. And they’re stepping up the removal of diseased elms to reduce the spread.

        Sad to see though; 22 years ago when we moved in, there was an uninterrupted canopy that met over the middle of the roadway the length of most streets. But at least a lot are being saved. Fingers crossed, our three are healthy, majestic and huggable (though you can’t get your arms even halfway around them!). 🥰

        Liked by 1 person

  2. One of the reasons we moved to Wisconsin was because it has more trees. Seriously. South Dakota is mainly prairie, where the closest thing to a tree is a really tall cornstalk.

    Great playlist, but you really need “The Trees” by Rush.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Downstate Illinois is similar to South Dakota. For this reason, we love northern Illinois. So technically, we love northern Illinois because of Wisconsin.

      As soon as I saw your comment, I added it. It’s a solid tree song. See what I did there?

      Liked by 1 person

  3. I adore red maple trees and also like river birch [that may be the same as paper birch?]. Even though they’re messy, I like willow trees. I didn’t know about Jack Hanna talking to the trees during his daily walks. I rather like that idea, I could use some more friends along my walking routes.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. The birch trees are very similar. I like the river birch because its leaves are a little wispier. Ally, I love willow trees too.

      As heartbreaking as what Jack Hanna is going through for his family is, I honestly believe that he is communicating with the trees. 🖤

      Liked by 1 person

      1. It’s a rather chunky book and the ending was disappointing, but the first part (the love story to trees) that was just beautiful.

        Liked by 1 person

  6. I love trees. I find they all have there own unique personalities. When I go hiking, I find I’m drawn to them. Different shape, sizes, color. When the bark is peeled back, the wood grains can be so beautiful and intricate. It’s nature’s art.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Have you ever read The Overstory? It is a LONG book and the ending is not as strong as the beginning, but the first 150 pages are just amazing and are a lovely reflection on trees. Honestly, you just need to read the first 150 pages and you’ll have read the best part of the book!

    Liked by 2 people

  8. FABULOUS post!

    Kari, and here is yet another thing you and I share in common, our appreciation and love of TREES! Last fall, I actually shared a post on my love of trees and I how I enjoy sitting under trees, absorbing their powerful healing energy. I’m also a tree hugger.

    Did you ever read the children’s book, “The Giving Tree”? It’s so moving.

    I totall agree with your friend Maddie…”Trees just see and listen and give love.”

    They sure do!

    I honestly don’t have a favorite tree. I love them all!

    Enjoyed this post, my friend! It made me smile :)

    Have a beautiful week! X

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I stalked your blog for your tree post and included it in this one. ❤️
      The Giving Tree is so good! You’re the second person to comment on books about trees. I think another post about tree books is in order.
      We we take trees for granted, don’t we? I love them even when they are without any leaves. Someone once told me that some tree branches resemble the bronchi around the lungs, and I’ve been seeing it ever since. It’s incredible.

      I’m so glad I could make you happy! That’s exactly what I hoped for. 😘❤️

      Like

  9. Pingback: Something Good | Open Space Practice, (AKA: A Thousand Shades of Gray)

  10. I have a hard time picking my favorite trees… top of the list would be palm trees, white birch, weeping willows, and Banyan… But I have yet to meet a tree I don’t like.

    Liked by 1 person

  12. I loved all these links! My relationship with trees changed during the pandemic. This will sound weird, but we went on lots of walks and I began feeling like the trees were communicating with me. Not all of them, but some of them. Especially old ones. Or, not necessarily with me, but there was just a different feeling that I was getting from them. There is a place up on Mt. Hood that I sometimes walk with a friend, and it is full of old firs and I get the strangest feeling there. Not in a bad way, but also not in an entirely good one, either. I feel like I am surrounded by beings and they are guarding their place. Like, if I were in a Steven King novel, they would all come to life. Like, maybe I *am* in a Steven King novel when I’m walking there. I think one of the hardest parts about being in Louisiana this summer was being away from my familiar northwest trees. There are beautiful trees in the south, but they did not speak to me. The day after I got home, I drove north to my parents, who live on the Olympic peninsula in Washington. I drove Hwy 101, because there is a stretch of it that goes through the Olympic National Forest, and when I drove through that winding road bordered by ancient, old cedar and fir, I finally felt I was home. I felt something inside my body settle.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. That’s not at all strange! I think that during the pandemic, we were all able to be quiet enough to hear things we hadn’t heard before. They were always talking to us, but we were never paying attention. That is why, since 2020, so many people have begun to awaken. I believe that there are parts of this country where we were never supposed to inhabit, which could explain why you felt so strongly when traveling by truck to Louisiana. When I go on long road trips, I get the same feelings in certain areas. 

      Liked by 1 person

  13. This was lovely, Kari. We have huge, old willow trees in our yard and just spent the whole weekend raking leaves and picking up sticks. As I was panting and sweating, I leaned against a giant tree trunk to rest for a minute, and I could feel the massive thing swaying gently in the wind. It was such a powerful feeling – an instant connection to nature. It was a beautiful moment.
    Of course today I’m so stiff and sore, I can hardly move!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I love willow trees, Michelle! I was going to add it to my list but forgot. I love how you leaned up against it and felt it sway. This week has been especially tough for me. I’m going to go outside and lean up against my trees.
      Thank you for the inspiration. 😘

      Liked by 1 person

  14. A wonderful ode to trees. I read the entire Jack Hanna article. It was heartbreaking and made me cry. The Columbus Zoo is such a special place and he was always a special person. Sigh . . .

    My favorite trees are definitely the Red Maple, Tulip Tree, and Dogwoods. Also, any crabapple/cherry tree that blooms in the Spring.

    I’ve often thought how trees have played a part of so many of our vacations (by being featured in our photos). Like the Bristlecone tree while hiking at Arches National Park. Redwood trees when we’ve visited Sonoma (the last visit, I immediately opened the car window so I could smell them as we traveled up a mountain to go to a winery). Riding our bikes by the Giant Kapok tree in Palm Beach. The giant Fig tree in Balboa Park in San Diego. Just to name a few!!!

    Time to go hug a tree! XO

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Like you, I grew up with him at the Columbus Zoo. It’s heartbreaking. He’s a wonderful human.

      I had to look up what a tulip tree was! The leaves are HUGE. SO COOL.

      I love how trees have been factored into all of your vacations! I thought about this as well. I’ve always loved palm trees. I think I’m just as excited to see the palm trees as I am to see the water when we go to the ocean. But I also like seeing new trees wherever I go.

      There is always time to hug a tree. 🖤

      Like

  15. What a beautiful post dedicated to trees! I am a tree lover, too. As you know, I’m rather obsessed with the huge, gorgeous maple right across the street. I photograph it every fall (through all its changes). I also love oaks and willows. Have you read The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben? Forgive me if you quoted it in your post…I always read through your posts first, then go back and check out all the links.

    Liked by 1 person

  16. I love the Oaks and the Magnolia’s but truly all trees capture me. I have a Magnolia in the yard, I wrote about it once, extolling how our tree was an important part of the family. #ILoveTrees Hugs, C

    Liked by 1 person

  17. i like the shaggy bark river birch, red maples, and ginkgo trees. for ornamentals, i like dogwood, magnolia, and flowering crabapple. but i also like pine trees. pretty much all trees! :)

    thanks for letting me know about jack! i had no idea. he looks good talking to trees!!

    and, i was just talking to another blogger here on WP about the famous angel oak tree on kiawah island. i thought that tree was old– but it’s only estimated at 400-500 years old.

    thanks for sharing the tree love, Kari! <3

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I love river birches as well! We went to the Morton Arboretum with my parents last fall and saw a ginkgo tree in person. My mom said it’s her favorite tree, and I can see why. Did you know they lose all of their leaves at once? So cool. 

      Jack Hanna is such a treasure. 🖤

      I’d never heard of the angel oak! I just looked it up, and it is absolutely gorgeous. I’d like to go to the island just to see the tree. It’s said to be haunted, so count me in! 🤣

      Liked by 1 person

  18. I love trees and we have some gorgeous ones here. Big maples, a beautiful young tree that is all red right now. In Calgary I had a Mayday tree in my front yard and I loved that tree so much. In the spring it was so glorious, covered in flowers. Nothing smells so good as a Mayday tree.

    Liked by 1 person

  21. Kari! You’ve been in my thoughts – I have so many thoughts about your reiki posts but no bandwidth to write a coherant comment and now you post about *trees*! ❤️ trees!!! ❤️ One of my love languages!

    How can I not ramble about trees?

    So I’ve loved trees all my life & couldn’t pick a favorite. As soon as I got big enough to start planting trees, I planted so many trees. Nurturing them through their first few years of life & then watching them grow big and strong, battle ice storms and racking bucks. Well. Sometimes I feel positively entish.

    Trees have been my friends since I was little. Sometimes I think they helped raise me. My grandparents had an amazing willow that was my guardian & playmate every visit. It always seemed to reach down towards me with its willow fingers when I ran up to greet it. So many memories of that gentle willow.

    And my childhood neighborhood was dotted with tree characters. We kids roamed the place – including an amazing semi-abandoned sprawling garden that had ancient trees and shrubbery. We kids knew which trees could be climbed for pirate spotting, which trees were home to fairies, the unique branchy tree “horse”, the trees with roomy skirts under which we could create entire worlds. They were our playmates as much as each other. And they always seemed happy to see us & play host to whatever game we’d imagined up for the day.

    I think all that magic endured into adulthood. Even today I can’t help but look at a tree and think of them as friendly beings on the edge of another world. And they see everything that passes. What do they want to share? What do they know?

    There are 2 books I’ve been meaning to read – Finding the Mother Tree and The Hidden Life if Trees. I think both explore the magic but also the science of tree world. I haven’t read them but you might look them up & see if they also intrigue you.

    Thank you for this lovely post friend. I can’t wait to go through all your links and suggestions!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Finding the Mother Tree has been on my TBR list for such a long time and keeps getting pushed down. I just held it today. I held all of the tree books that had been recommended to me in the comments, including The Hidden Life of Trees.

      Isn’t there something special about willow trees? In my memory, there was a large willow tree next to the house, where I spent the majority of my childhood. I looked it up on Google maps and discovered that there is no willow tree there, only a maple tree. I’m not even sure it’s the same tree; maybe it was chopped down? All I know is that there was a tree that we used to play under it as children.  I remember lying under it with a blanket while playing with our guinea pig Petunia, and I remember lying under it while watching my dad play basketball in the driveway. I remember having deep conversations with my best friend while sitting beneath it and picking leaves. 

      This post was inspired by you, my friend. Your love of trees has inspired so many lovely conversations in this blog’s comment section. Maddie, I am so glad I know you. Thank you for enriching my life in so many ways. 😘💕

      Like

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