Tree Stories Shared by the Keepers of the Trees Community
The following are tree stories submitted to us by our Keepers of the Trees Community. If you haven't yet joined in, we invite you to click the link at the bottom of this page to share YOUR tree story with us. (Note: If you have already submitted a story and it does not yet appear here, we will approve and post it shortly - thank you for your patience.)
"They are continuing to clear cut all the trees down below today. I know the sound now of maples splintering, broken branches shattering as they land upon their brothers and sisters. I know when it is fir or hemlock coming down, each wide, wrinkled trunk smashing into a grieving mother earth.
I talked with my friend, Judy, yesterday, another woman who loves nature and walks among the trees with grace and reverence. We talked about my neighbor’s honest belief that he is “taking care of his family” by logging the land. She pointed out that he has forgotten that he is part of a bigger family, the family of all living beings on the planet.
What do we teach our children in the taking of the trees? That this is the way we build up bank accounts, killing off the beauty of the very land that has held and nurtured us for years? That when the money is gone, we rob the mother?
Each of us must ask the question of ourselves: What is essential, and what is the cost, in energy, in resources. Watching the trees fall is pause for thought – I am part of the consumption, I must be part of the consciousness that cares for the land, that thinks about these things.
I have walked these woods for twenty-two years now. I know the song of each bird, the story of cats and coyotes, the quiet of deer. As the trees come down one by one, the earth shudders, and I cry inside for all our losses.
"
Nan Collie, writer of woodswitness.blogspot.com
"my story is one of outdoor study, of forests, with time enough to ponder/meditate, upon the differences between civilized areas, and forests. so when, western people and our organizations, use technological means to deal with insect infestations. i wonder, if this is not an allelopathic, sympton dealing with approach; and that more could be done. ie. trees of the kind, plated in urban areas. a sort of maybe," we are waiting to hear from you forests, about our civilization impulses."
david, i'm simply wondering if insect ravaged forests, may benefit from having (if necessary) bonz
"Merve Wilkinson (chapter 2) died on Aug. 29, 2011. He was able to live in his home until nearly the end. A true caretaker of the earth has moved on. With deep gratitude for the privilege of meeting him. "
Ann Linnea, friend and colleague
"Since information about the Washington forest-canopy research crane is included in Keepers of the Trees, I thought readers would like to know that it was shut down on May 27, 2011.
The Wind River Canopy Crane fell silent May 27, after 16 years of ferrying scientists into the forest canopy of the Wind River Experimental Forest north of Carson, Skamania County, in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, a casualty of the cost of operating and maintaining the crane and declining interest in canopy research. Please read this article in the Seattle Times for more information:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2015235172_canopycrane05.html
"
Debbie Dix, longtime lover of trees
"Here is an amazing story that appeared in the May 31, 2011 issue of the New York Times written by Liz Robbins: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/31/nyregion/2-enthusiasts-compose-map-of-central-park-trees.html?_r=1
“Every year about 37 million people go to Central Park, and, finding themselves surrounded by 23,000 trees, most do not know their sassafras from their euonymus.
But Ken Chaya and Edward Sibley Barnard are not like most people. Spend two hours walking the oxygen-infused oasis with this pair as quirky as the Quercus prinus (chestnut oak), and it’s as if all of your senses are on steroids. . .
And then you begin to understand the pure wonder that drove these two men to give up two and a half years of their lives to make a map that artfully and painstakingly details 19,933 trees in Central Park. . . “
You'll enjoy reading the whole story and seeing the photos!
"
Nancy Fritsche Eagan, a New York lover of trees
"The mission of Elm Watch is to preserve and restore the American elm in our communities. We encourage elm stewardship and promote awareness of the community forest through advocacy, education and direct action.
Elm Watch was formed in 1999 as a volunteer, non-profit citizen organization. We saw the opportunity to apply state-of-the-art preventive technologies to further the preservation of heritage elms. Likewise, advances in plant genetics presented the opportunity to begin reliable restoration of the American elm in our community forests. Through our outreach and public education efforts, we seek to raise awareness of the American elm, and in turn, develop an appreciation for the larger community forest.
These efforts comprise Elm Watch's primary programs. www.elmwatch.org"
Tom Zetterstrom
"You probably have already heard about this, but just in case..
http://earthsky.org/earth/michael-lefskys-map-shows-height-of-trees-in-forests-worldwide
Colorado State University's Dr. Michael Lefskys has created the first-ever map of the height of the world's trees. The taller the trees, the more carbon they hold. This will help scientists figure out where most of the carbon in the world is stored.
"
JMcNiel@treesforever.org
"In my family, when each of us kids was born, my grandfather would plant a tree in his yard, and name it after us. So, whenever we would go to visit, we could visit 'our special tree'. Each tree was a different kind, and we watched them grow up as we grew up. It was cool to have my very own tree. I still think it was a great idea."
ddix@peerspirit.com
"When visiting an older member of my congregation, I remarked on the way out the door, "Janie that is the most beautiful oak tree in your back yard." Janie replied, "I grew that oak tree from an acorn over 50 years ago." Over the next few minutes standing in her driveway I learned so much. Janie and her husband bought the house early in their marriage. While Janie’s husband went to work each day, she began to landscape the yard. The house was brand new and the yard was a blank canvas -- simply dirt -- not even a blade of grass. One thing she knew was that she wanted a big oak tree in the yard. While pregnant with their daughter, Debbie, Janie walked a lot to stay healthy and strong. One day she found an acorn. She picked it off the sidewalk, brought it home, and planted it in a cup. As the baby grew in her womb, the acorn sprouted and grew in the cup. When it was time, she moved the baby tree into the back yard. When Debbie was born, Janie nursed and held her baby close and she cared for her young tree. Her daughter grew and the tree grew. She played under its young branches; found Easter eggs hidden in its roots; kissed her first boyfriend behind it. By the time I met Janie, the fifty-year-old tree provided shade for the roof of this now older house and great grandmother Janie and her family still love to drink lemonade under the tree. Who knew you could learn the story of someone’s life by complimenting a tree?"
Frances Hooton in honor of Janie
"Keepers of the Trees: what a beautiful legacy. Trees are the guides of the forest, parks, yards, etc… When you watch a tree, it can share much and in the words of Tree Spirited Woman; “One can learn much from trees. Look at those leaves; they are already starting to change color. They have lived a full cycle. In the spring, they sprouted new buds and grew new leaves and branch¬es. They were trusting and growing. It was a time of new beginnings, much like each new day. The weather warmed; summer came. The leaves turned a rich green, blew in the wind, trusted all would be well in the life journey. Autumn is now approaching. It is time for ju¬bilation. The trees shout out for joy using bright colors, declaring the life journey is almost done. It is a sign they have lived and are not afraid of dying. The tree lets go of the leaves a little at a time until the tree becomes bar¬ren. Then it is time for the tree to rest and rejuvenate until the next beginning.” We are all the ‘Keepers of the Trees’ let us do our part to make sure they are here for our grandchildren.
Colleen Baldrica, Author of the three time national award winning book, Tree Spirited Woman
"
Colleen Baldrica Listen to the trees and they will tell you much.
"I bought your book to share with a church group client of mine. I have recommend bringing in as large a tree as possible for the courtyard off of the entry to the church. The Sunday school classes would be able to sit under the tree and the tree would provide shade to the west windows. The church is in the heart of the University District and the tree would be in what was a parking lot. It will be a great addition to the neighborhood and to the project. Your book will help me get the amount of money necessary in the budget to bring in a really large tree. We have a year to find the right tree and are working with a landscape architect in helping to select the proper species and to prepare the site so it can really grow. The access is great so we can bring it in with heavy equipment. We hope to save a tree that would be destroyed by construction.
"
C. Geise, Seattle