In Memory of Trees

I love trees! In fact, I would even go so far as to say that some of my best friends are trees. Trees don't judge you by how you look, by the color of your skin, or by what religion you follow. Trees are patient and endearing. Indeed, we humans can learn a lot from trees, if we will just slow down and take the time to truly listen. As a kid I loved to spend my time outdoors in the woods and could often be found in the company of trees.

I have recently started reading a book entitled "Whispers In The Woods". The author encourages her readers to think back upon all the places that they have lived. In each of these places, there will be at least one or two trees that stand out. When you think about these special trees, memories will begin to flood your mind. I tried it and the author is absolutely right!

Some of my earliest memories with trees were in the woods back behind our home where I grew up in Klamath, CA. My brother and sister and I would spend hours in the woods, climbing trees, making forts, and splashing in the creek. There was one particular tree that was growing from a small island in the middle of the creek. The tree grew at such a slant that we could walk up the trunk. I remember another time when I had just visited a barber and he cut my hair too short. I was just a little tyke then and very self concious about my haircut. I was at church on Sunday morning and there was a teenage girl there who began to tease me about my hair. I was so upset that I ran away and went straight out into the woods. There was a group of trees that we called the Rainbow Trees. They were bowed like rainbows and covered in thick green moss. I climbed up into the branches of the trees and cried my eyes out over being made fun of. I will never forget that experience and feeling safe in the sheltering branches of those trees.

Years ago when we were living in Eastern Kentucky, we were renting a house from an older couple that was down an old road. There was an enormous Willow Tree in our front yard and we would often see a woodpecker there pecking away. One year the locusts came and the tree, as well as all of the trees surrounding the area, were filled with locusts. The sound that they made was deafening. I also remember summer nights when the fireflies would flicker and dance in the Willow Tree, giving it the appearance of something out of Fairyland.

More recently when we moved back to California we rented a home from my wife's cousin and lived there for several years. There was a Redwood Tree in the back yard and the kids liked to climb up near the top from where they could see the ocean. I enjoyed laying out in the yard and reading under the shade of the tree. I spent many evenings under the tree enjoying the view of the full moon to the east. This special tree was a resting place for Blue Jays, Mourning Doves, Ravens, and many other birds. In the yard were also a pair of apple trees and three plum trees. We would gather the fruit every fall and have enough to last for months.

I enjoy hiking at Hiller Park and have come across several interesting trees there. One of my favorites is an enormous Sitka Spruce. It is growing on a hill overlooking the Mad River. Once when I was hiking alone out in the woods I came across an amazing sight. Imagine my surprise when I saw a tree with a face! I took a closer look and discovered that somebody had attached eyes, nose and a mouth to the tree. It stayed that way for months until some hoodlum tore the face off of the tree. I still enjoy visiting the tree whenever I am in the area. There are many special trees in the park and I try to get away there whenever I can.

One of my greatest pleasures is camping among the Redwoods. Last summer I went on a camping trip with some friends down at Avenue of the Giants. One of the girls took several of us to see a rare Albino Redwood Tree. I was in awe of this beautiful tree and felt humbled in her presence. There are only a few of these trees in the world, a handful of them being in the Avenue of the Giants area. Months later I took the family on a picnic and afterwards introduced them to the Albino Redwood.


We humans have a symbiotic relationship with trees. Without the oxygen that they produce, we would perish. Likewise, they require the carbon monoxide that we breathe out to survive.

When I see a tree I do not see a soulless "thing". I see a living, breathing creature, deserving of respect. I believe that they have much to tell us. But we have to slow down to listen to what they have to say. Even as an adult, I still find comfort in the branches of a tree.

So I challenge you. Think back to the places you have lived during your life. Does a particular tree stand out in your mind? Meditate on that special tree and allow the cherised memories to return.