Trees are the answer!

“The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.” -Nelson Henderson

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time to plant is now.” -Chinese Porverb

“To exist as a tree is to have a purpose beyond our own lives, a legacy we leave for the world.” -A.D. Posey

“People who will not sustain trees will soon live in a world that will not sustain people.” -Bryce Nelson

“There are more life forms in a handful of forest soil than there are people on the planet.” -Peter Wohlleben

So what? Trees are dirty. They could fall on your house, powerline, etc. They block the sun. These are some of the things I hear when people complain about trees. Please do not take offence if you are that person. We are all different (just like trees) and thus, see things differently also. There is no shame in that but allow me to share my point of view as a fellow “tree hugger”.

Simply put, we cannot exist without trees. So, in our own selfish human nature that is reason enough to plant and appreciate them. Do you like butterflies? Do you like fireflies? How about those awesome summer night bug noises that are so unique to our area? Your friendly neighborhood raccoon? The cardinal that reminds you of a loved one? Life supports life and there isn’t a single plant that comes close to supporting the amount of life as our native tree species. If you care about pollinators and biodiversity, then you should care about trees. For example, our native White Oak supports over 500 different species of Lepidoptera (butterflies/caterpillars)— and that is only one species! If your thought is," “That’s all great but why do I have to do it?” Fair point. Unfortunately, we have eliminated our natural areas to such an extreme that the earth as it once was is unrecognizable and many species have been lost in the process. If you are fortunate enough to own land of any capacity it is now your/our job to support life. Sounds like a lot of work, except all you have to do is plant some trees and water them for a year or so. Now that is a great cost-benefit situation if you ask me!

Don’t you just hate in the summer when the sun is blaring down on you, and the air conditioning bill is through the roof? Trees could help with that. Money aside, trees are the easiest, most environmentally friendly thing you can do to reduce your carbon footprint. Forget electric cars... plant trees! They literally take in CO2 and convert it to Oxygen, which we need to breathe and exist on this planet. Do I sound a bit dramatic? Maybe, but it is the truth.

I feel that one of the most common human traits is that we all want to leave a legacy. We do not want our life to have been meaningless, right? That could be as small as being kind to those around us or as big as starting a company, raising a child, or planting a tree! Trees will outlast you, but don’t let that scare you away. I hear people say often, “I won’t be able to see it”. Yes, that could be true, but you will be a part of something so much larger. You will have cultivated life that will outlast you and provide meaning to you, those that come after you, insects, animals, the planet, etc. There’s nothing as magical as knowing that in some part you have made a difference on this world. Maybe one day that tree you planted will be a refuge for a little girl going through a hard time, someone’s favorite climbing tree, the best reading spot, the joy to keep going- for so many things.

So, in summary, it is Fall (yay), which is the best time to plant trees! Planting in the fall ensures that plants have the most time possible to get their roots established before the stress of next summer. It is a time of death, dormancy and reflection, but it can also be a time of new beginnings— if you make that beautiful choice.

One last thing. Allow me to get a bit sappy and “woo-woo” for a second. I recently went to visit my brother in Portland and we went to a garden of religious prominence. There were redwoods, maples and pines towering over us throughout the entire walk. I felt small, but in a good way. It is a feeling I’ve always loved and craved. That feeling when you are looking at a natural wonder, the Grand Canyon perhaps, and you just feel in awe of the world. You feel that you are just a tiny spec on this planet. I’m not sure why I like this feeling so much, but maybe because it keeps things in perspective for me.. On days when I spilled my tea all over the car, or I’m in pain or I wish I didn’t have to go to work.. I think how small I am and how little those things matter in the scheme of life. Sometimes it is nice to zoom out and recognize our part in the world— the big and the small. Thank you Trees for the continual perspective, life lessons, and oxygen.