~ Behold the Power of Trees. ~

  

TREES. The word, like bunnies and sparkles, makes me happy. Trees have been important in my life, my whole life. When we lived in Miami, where trees were sometimes sparse, I would make friends with all of the neighborhood trees. 

Later, when we were older, we’d camp in the Everglades, which was my first experience with fairy tale forests and faraway places.

After tropical storms and hurricanes, dad knew what was coming. I would sniffle and hiccup until we gathered ropes and stakes and shovels, and search and rescue uprooted trees. Any tree with even a slight chance of survival was staked up with a prayer and a hug.

I knew the secret life of trees. Oh, the stories they could tell! They know the history of the planet better than we do. They love us. They keep us cool. They shelter us from storm. They give us a kaleidoscope of colors and textures and scents. They give us fruit and nuts to eat-and the very air we breathe.

 

 

They are guardian angels.

 

I talk to trees-is that weird? They each have their own individual personality-the same species of tree, planted two feet apart, will grow to look completely different than its sibling. And, they are all wonderful.

 

For years, I felt so guilty..this thoughtless yuletide tradition of growing trees up just to cut them down, load 'em up, drag them indoors, dress 'em up, deck 'em out in all this shimmering lighted glory-oh the sadness!  I feel like an executioner when the tree is defrocked and tossed carelessly by the trash bin or fed to the wood chipper! I was sure we were all going to a treeless hades. 

 

{Though a few times my hippie parents, who were hip to eco-friendly and mother earth, let the tree stay up until it was an official fire hazard. Depending on the freshness of the tree, this could be Valentine’s Day...:) }

 

That first Christmas with Cowboy, he was perplexed at my odd behavior when the tree came down. Then, once I explained how I felt, he told me he would take it to the magic part of the back woods and replant it, and bunnies and elves would move in and nurture it. How sweet was that?

{And the next year, he bought an artificial tree. }

I have since learned that it’s actually better for the environment to go with a live tree.  Artificial trees are mainly made in China, using chemicals, which pollute neighborhoods where factories are.  And, when plastic trees "die", they sit in the landfill. So, even though there may be footprints from shipping live Christmas trees, and pesticides used in the caring for those trees, in the end, apparently, it’s ecologically better to buy a live tree. So I am told....

...but a tree didn't tell me that. So, I am for now sticking to my firmly "rooted" belief that they prefer I celebrate with a duplicate-and maybe buy one to plant in the regular part of our woods though I think it's  all a bit magical). :)

 Have a great day Twinklestars-and go tell a tree you love it! XOXOXO

Comments

[Maggi]

I love trees too, they always seem so wise. One of my favorite parts of Lord of the Rings are the ENTs. :)

[Snap]

I love trees. I have several who are best friends of mine ... a tangerine and a Japanese Maple. I talk to them all the time. Good to *see* you!!!

Hugs----

[deborah]

Beeeeeeutiful leaves!!! The third shot is stunning. Absolutely stunning. I love trees too. I also talk to trees and anything that will listen. Actually, I talk to anything even if it won't listen. Doesn't bother me one bit. Happy Sunday, my friend! **kisskiss** Deb

[stephanie]

All your trees are BEautiful! and yes, I am a tree hugger, we don't do Christmas trees... BUT...what I love are the folks that hang simple ball ornaments from our bare winter tree branches.

so lovely against cold blue winter skies

do you know of this?
http://globaltreeproject.org/press/press_release_hanging_garden.html

x...x
s

[Mrs. Magpie]

Roo, I know how you feel. After the hurricanes a few years back, I was just sick at the loss of tree cover, and we've had to take down some oaks that weren't going to make it. That was the worst. I am still grieving for them.

I have an artificial tree because I'm actually allergic to live trees. We found that out after I got a sinus infection every Christmas. The lightbulb finally went off. But I do love the looks of a live Christmas tree. My SIL buys ones she can replant. We're all a bit green.

Wishing you all the best of the New Year...

XO,

Sheila :-)

[A Forest Frolic]

Awww, you are a sweetie pie Roo...sad for chopping down trees. I love trees too, you have some beautiful pictures.

Jamie :)

[Renee]

Thanks for coming by my blog you always make me laugh out loud, yes the GA girl got some snow, quite a bit of it and the darn stuff is still out here and ugly now. Ya know snow when it is fresh is pretty but this has to go. I would have gladly shared with you.

I love trees too. I actually love the trees around here when there is wet snow sticking to them. (I'll post some of my snowy tree pics for you)

Fall is beautiful here and so is spring. My fave part of spring is all the bursts of color from the redbuds.

Artifical tree here.

Beautiful pictures you posted.

[shibori girl]

Hey Rhonda Roo!!! Happy New Year to Yoo!

I share your love of trees. I spent many a solitary childhood day perched up in my favorite maple, reading a book. (That pic of the one with all the yellow leaves - LOVE it!)

When I was young, we used to buy live pine trees as Christmas trees. We'd dig a hole before the big winter freeze, and then plant them after "defrocking" them of all their Christmas finery. Some of them have grown very large...

Happy Day!

Kate

[rochambeau]

Stopped by to find out all's that happening in Roosville and find a post that sings to me! We are all tree lovers in this family and can be brought to tears when one is chopped down.
Because of my fathers love of trees, we planted his ashes with a baby tree. Now the tree is big and we still bring rose petals to honor him.

We have never had a tree that couldn't be replanted or fake.

Your reasoning behind not having fake is good. Thank you for pointing this out!

Your cowboy sounds like a good man!

xox
Constance

[rochambeau]

Came back to sit with you, way up your tree~fort, to gaze out and be hold all the beauty there is!
Have a great time~
Tell the fairies, the trolls and gnomes I send my very best!

xox
Constance