Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Tree Hugger


I was driving around with a friend last weekend and as we drove I kept pointing out different trees to her. I was saying stuff like, "See those locusts, around that farmhouse? They always make me think of a Currier and Ives print.", or, "Look at that oak. Did you see the size of that? It must be at least 200 years old." Later I thought that I really have a "thing' for trees and I actually know a little about them. I'm drawn to trees, old ones especially. Actually I'm a plant freak and have had several jobs involving them. Trees speak to me in a language I can "hear" but cannot explain.
I grew up in a farm house that was built in the 1800's and our very large yard was full of a variety of trees. We had a yellow apple tree, two bartlett pears, a syckle pear, two mullberries, two huge popples, (which were struck by lightning more than once),a catalpa, a white birch, and a weeping birch, two sugar maples, three white oaks, one soft maple, a plum and a hickory nut tree. I don't think I forgot any. I could still tell you many details about every one of these. I spent a lot of time in and around them all. I was wondering who taught their names to me, my dad I guess. When I walk in the woods I can identify most of the trees and plants around me. It's important to me to know this. They matter to me. I can tell you about various trees or stands of trees in differnt places I frequent. Like, there are two huge beech trees in two different yards in my home town. The biggest elm tree in the county is in the town I live in now.There is a stand of old growth hemlocks in a park I ride to on the bike. There are 3 massive oaks in a triangle of land heading into Ithaca on Route13. There are a couple of very old oaks we go looking for "hen of the woods" mushrooms on in the beginning of fall. I could go on and on here. The point I'm making is I notice these things just like I would notice an interesting person. In fact I probaly have better relationships with the trees in my life than the people. That speaks volumes, doesn't it? They're easier. Trees make me happier much of the time too and they always have.

I know how riveting this post was for all of you. I admit that I'm a  "tree hugger" and I bet I'm not the only one.

14 comments:

Monkey Man said...

I am a tree hugger, too. I'm not sure how many posts I have that make reference to trees but they do speak to me as well. Windswept Wisdom is one you may enjoy.

Anonymous said...

I'm gonna "go out on a limb" here and say that pic is of a sycamore. Sorry about the pun.

big Jenn said...

Wrongo bongo Patty, it's a maple.jeNN

Enchanted Oak said...

Trees, especially old growth trees, have seen the centuries change and they deserve all the respect people can give them.
Nice post, Jenn

Tall Kay said...

I wish I knew more about trees. I find it facinating that you remember all the trees from your childhood home. I don't think I ever had a tree talk to me, but maybe it's because I wasn't listening.

Unknown said...

Hey, tree hugging dirt worshipping goddess here!!!!! I love trees, growing up in the Pacific NW you bet I love trees...lived in one for a spell!

HUGS
G

Lou said...

This is interesting to me because I feel the need to be outside, in nature, for at least a half hour a day. When I can manage it, I go for an hour, and I'm blessed with woods and lakes all around my home.
But I can't identify a single tree, flower, or bird (except the really obvious ones). I should know more about it. Sometimes I walk with a friend, she knows her birds...it's very cool.

Trees talk to me also (I'm not being a smart ass). I just call them all "hey, you" because I can't tell them apart;) OK now I'm being a smart ass.

Enchanted Oak said...

JeNN, I'm passing on to you the Honest Scrap Award on my Thursday the 12th blog. You can grab the artwork and the rules from there. I love your honest scrap.
Chris

Wait. What? said...

I have always had a tree in my neighborhood that I called mine. Sounds so wierd to verbalize it but basically since I was young I have claimed one of the neighborhood trees as my tree.

Even now I have one and my husband and kids know where it is and of course it is the biggest most brilliant oak on the block!

Kitty Moore said...

I have a healthy respect for trees. And I may have hugged one once when I was a bit tipsy.

Tabitha.Montgomery said...

I'm a tree hugger too..Only I don't "actually HUG trees".xo

Shannon said...

nope you arent the only one lol
I love trees too! Infact this is a recent love for me. About 3+yrs ago after driving through the giant redwood forest, trees have been speaking to me... lol not with words, I know you knew that, but I just notice them and admire and appreciate them and their beauty, in a way I never have before... weird, I love trees too... so yep I guess that would make me a tree hugger!!! hee hee happy friday

GG said...

Yep, I'm a tree hugger, too. Glad to see I'm in such good company. One thing I love about Fall and Winter is the way trees look without leaves. Like sculptures, to me.

Syd said...

Trees are awesome. I really think that they feel it when they are cut down. I hate to see trees killed and cut up. There was a huge oak that was near where I grew up as a child. It was a "witness" tree for so many things. That is sacred, I think.