Dreaming in trees

Anne here, and today, for something a little bit different, I'm going to talk about trees. I'm very fond of big old trees and spent much of my childhood up in a tree, dreaming, or reading or surveying my imaginary kingdon. I remember once, when we moved house and I was feeling really unhappy about it — it was in the city, and having come from the country where I roamed far and wide at will, I didn't like the look of all those cramped streets and houses and roads.

But then I found a big old tree in the back yard, behind the garage, and I immediately climbed it and found a spot to sit in it and gaze out over the rooftops, and that made me feel much happier.
This is a favorite painting by a favorite artist, Anita Klein and I think you will see why I love it so much. 

When Europeans came to this country a couple of centuries ago, they set about cutting down thousands of big, ancient trees. That legacy horrifies me, even though I understand that they needed to clear land  to grow food, and that the native hardwood timber was good for building, but even so, some of the old photos are so devastating to look at, knowing that they cut down trees that were hundreds of years old.

There is still a lot of controversy over clearing forest land, but some magnificent trees and forest districts are now protected by the creation of national parks, by organizations like the National Trust and various conservation-inclined groups. And a growing number of cities and towns have significant tree registers.

I loved the avenues of live oaks I saw in New Orleans. This live oak that has connections to a US president.  In Malaysia, I saw temples which were entirely enclosed by tree roots. It happens in lots of places. And the grand old Mountain Ash tree (a variety of eucalyptus) at the top of this post was voted favorite tree one year on the register of significant trees in my state. I think the movement to register special trees in towns and cities is wonderful.

We need to cherish ancient trees all over the world -- and plant new ones and give them a chance to grow ancient. I remember when I was a little girl, outside the church we attended, a venerable old olive tree grew that had been brought "as a seedling from the Garden of Gethsemane in the Holy Land by Archdeacon J C P Allnutt in1881." (That was from the plaque.) I thought that olive was sooo old . . . until I travelled to Greece and Italy where a hundred years was considered relatively young. 

The ancient olive tree on the left is one of the oldest olive trees in Puglia and was planted by the Romans around three thousand years ago, apparently for lamp oil. (Photo by my friend Fritha.)

 

Trees are for dreaming in and making the past and fictional worlds come alive. I remember when I was a child and we visited Sherwood Forest and I could so imagine Robin Hood and the others sheltering in those enormous oaks. 

Fantasy writer Juliet Marillier posted this photo on FB of an ancient yew tree in Ireland. It's been there since the 16th century, and if you've read her wonderful books, you can be sure it's going to be feature in the ancient Celtic world of her stories (many of which I've recommended in our What We're Reading posts.)

In my book, The Scoundrel's Daughter, the older of my two heroines in that story was effectively dared to climb a large plane tree in the garden behind her house. In the past, the hero's small daughters had been called hoydens by their grandmother for climbing a tree, and as punishment they'd been sent away to school. My heroine wanted to counteract that shaming, and demonstrate that a lady could climb a tree and remain a lady, but the hero was there, and she was very self-conscious. 

All her life, Alice had strived to please others and do what she was told was ‘the right thing’ and finding it a thankless task. Did she really want to set this earnest little girl on the same path?

She made up her mind. “Turn your back,” she told Lord Tarrant.

He promptly did a military-style about-face that made Lina, still in his arms, giggle. The little girl squirmed around and watched Alice over his shoulder.

Luckily the tree was an old one, and unlike most of the plane trees in London’s streets and parks, it had never been pruned or pollarded. The trunk was broad and lumpy with handholds and branches sticking out. The larger branches began about three feet off the ground.   

Alice carefully gathered the skirts of her dress, thanking the impulse that had caused her to wear an old dress she didn’t particularly care for. She rolled the skirt and petticoat up and tucked them into the waist of her drawers.   (snip)

Scrabbling with her feet to gain purchase on the lumpiest part of the trunk, she tried to swing her leg up to hook it over the first big branch. Once, twice . . . she almost managed it, then suddenly a large warm hand placed itself on her bottom and shoved—Alice squeaked with indignation—and there she was, sitting on the branch.

She glared down at him, her cheeks on fire, and not just from the effort of climbing. Her whole body was hot and flustered. Even her bottom was blushing—she could feel it. “You, you—”

“Helped, yes, I know.” He was grinning. “It’s not against the rules, is it?”

It was very much against the rules of gentlemanly behavior—watching her climb in her drawers when she’d told him to turn his back. As for putting his hand on her bottom! Her almost-naked bottom! She could still feel the warm imprint of it on her skin.

She so wanted to ring a peal over his head, but she couldn’t do it in front of his daughters—and he knew it, the rogue.

“Can you go on from there by yourself?” he asked with a solicitude that didn’t fool her for a moment. His eyes gave him away every time. He was enjoying this.

I could have filled this blog with just tree photos — I have dozens — but I figured I ought to write something. Hope you enjoyed it. 

What about you — did you climb trees as a child?  And is there a significant tree register in your area? Do you have a favorite tree now, or in the past? Tell us about your favorite tree. 

Comments

[Alice Mathewson]

Hi Anne. I belonged once to a group that measured ancient trees for a national register in the UK. The most effective way to measure is by hugging the tree to get the diameter, which then can be converted into age. It was lovely to have such an excuse to get up close to trees. The other thing about trees that I find fascinating is the wood wide web, as scientists now think trees communicate through their roots- gripping! Thank you

[Frasc]

Just finished listening to To Speak for the Trees: My Life's Journey from Ancient Celtic Wisdom to a Healing Vision of the Forest by Diana Beresford-Kroeger. A mystical and scientific exploration of trees and the role they play in history.

[Donna H.]

I enjoyed your post so much! I love trees too and always get upset when I see them coming down. Our street is lined with trees and we have a few lots in between houses that have a woods on them. It is so lovely in the fall when they all change colour. I have two maples right out the front and my husband always wanted to take them down as their roots were reaching out to the foundations of the house but I resisted and so they are still there. The worst sound in the world is when I hear chainsaws.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Anne, thanks for reminding me of that delightful snippet from THE SCOUNDREL'S DAUGHTER! I'm another country girl who loves trees and hates, hates, hates if they are cut down for any reason. I particularly love the tree image at the top of the post. It reminds me of trees I saw in the Amazon.

[Pamela Denius Gillam]

I love old trees. Most woods and forests in the US are second-growth forests as most of our ancient tree succumbed the the lumbermen long ago. Some old-growth forests are protected here and the feeling of the woods is sublimely unique. Newer forests just don't have the same energy. I enjoy sitting next to a tree and letting its energy surround and recharge me. When I go to Dysart Woods, an old growth forest two hours from my home in Central Ohio, I allow myself to listen to the silence and feel wisdom of the ages until chatty tourists walk through and spoil the serenity. Since I learned my lesson of listening silently, if I might now have a better understanding of the Druids who would treat a grove such as Dysart Woods as sacred. To me the old woods are a part of the Creation and has no less to teach me than I can glean while studying my Bible.

[Mary T]

When I was a child a had a great aunt and two great uncles who had a farm where I would visit a lot, especially in the Summer. There were three large old trees in back of the house. I think they were Elms but I'm not sure. One of them had roots that stuck out of the ground. They were so large that I could sit on them like a stool. It was my favorite dreaming place. I spent so many hours over the years sitting there daydreaming and pretending.

After high school I went into the army. While I was stationed in Germany I got a letter from one of my sisters telling me that the aunt and uncles decided to sell most of farm land and build a new house for themselves. They decided to locate the new house exactly where those three old trees were - so they had them cut down.

Well, when I read that, I just started sobbing. My friends gathered around me because they thought I had just read that someone had died. To tell the truth - it felt that way.

When I dream of the farm it is always its always the "old" place" and the trees are still there.

[Anne Gracie]

Oh, Alice — what a wonderful organization to belong to — and the more of those tree registers the better, I think. I've heard that trees communicate through their roots. It's it fascinating how much we still don't know about nature. Thanks for visiting the wenches.

[Anne Gracie]

Thanks for that reference, Frasc — it sounds fascinating. I looked it up, and it's also available on audio, which is good. And it gets lots of wonderful reviews.
https://www.amazon.com/Speak-Trees-Journey-Ancient-Healing/dp/B07Z5D3Z2X/

[Anne Gracie]

Thanks, Donna. My old house had a very large eucalyptus tree that was more than 50 years old, and I fretted for it when I heard the new owners were pulling everything out of the garden. Thankfully it has survived, though my lovely lilac hasn't.

I've always wanted to visit the US or Canada in autumn and see the wonderful display of autumn colour. We don't get that much here, as the native vegetation is evergreen (or more strictly speaking, ever-grey-green ) and only the exotic imported trees change colour.

[Anne Gracie]

Mary Jo, if you ever get back to Australia, it would be lovely if you could visit the cool temperate rainforests in Victoria — the national park ones where some of the grand old gum trees still remain.

[Anne Gracie]

What a lovely post, Pamela — yes, forests speak to me similarly, and though I still like second growth forests — forests of all kinds, actually — there is something quite magical about the hush of an ancient forest, where you are surrounded by giant trees, and all you can hear are birds and the wind and maybe the trickle of water.
Thanks for visiting the word wenches.

[Anne Gracie]

Oh, Mary, I really feel for you, losing those wonderful old trees, and your childhood dreaming place. I don't understand how people can cut down old trees -- not unless they are dangerous. And isn't a home so much more when you can look out into trees, and be shaded by them in summer?

[Kareni]

What a wonderful post and pictures, Anne. Thank you!

When my cousins and I were young, my grandmother used to take us to the Rose Garden in Auckland (NZ). Nearby was a HUGE tree that we would play in and on. We called it the Kitchen Tree (don't ask me why).

When my husband and I visited NZ after my having been away for 40 years, one of the few places I wanted to visit was the Kitchen Tree. I was certain the tree would be smaller than I remembered; however, it was far far bigger instead.

[Quantum]

Very interesting Anne. I think Yew trees must be among the longest lived (2000 - 3000 years) and are often found in church yards. Archers would use the branches to make bows and arrows. Thanks to Frasc for the ref for 'To Speak for the Trees'. I think I might buy the audio of that. For pics of some of the oldest in UK see :
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2018/01/ancient-yew-trees/

I passed a 1200 year old Yew at Stanford Bishop yesterday.
https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/117273

Awesome feeling to rest beneath the branches and imagine where the next 1200 years will lead us. No doubt the tree will find out!

[nmayer2015]

Joyce Kilmer's poem "I think that I shall never see, a poem lovely as a tree." However, I have mostly lived in the city or urban areas. We do have some magnificent magnolias. Most of the trees have been cut down so condos can be built there. Oaks and pines are cut down and replaced by boxwood and Dogwood. I do like Dogwoods but they ae not great tress. I cannot like Southern Pines. Further north and in the mountains there are some lovely trees but urbanization is removing many of them.

[Annette N]

I loved your post. I too am a fan of trees. For a time, I was planting trees in pots on my patio, and when they got large enough I gave them away to people so that we would have more trees in Austin. Now, I am no longer able to lift the big pots.
Live Oaks are all over here. Around the Alamo there are live oaks which are quite old and their branches are held up by different means. As we get older, we can all use a little propping up.
Here in Austin, we had a live oak called The Treaty Oak. It was part of the signing of a treaty in the Texas Independence battles. Someone who I hope rots in a very hot place, poisoned the tree. For no evident reason. The tree died in spite of all the efforts to try and save it. So, in order to save the feeling for the tree and raise money to protect other trees, fountain pens were made from the wood.
Yes, I am attached to trees. Just as an aside. I fell in love with birch trees the first time I saw one. It was when I was working in North Dakota and there was a grove of birch trees near one of the hotels where I stayed. They are gorgeous.
Trees are treasures given to us just to give us joy.
Y'all take care.

[Binnie Syril Braunstein]

Anne - I have two favorite trees. One is a tree I have never seen in my lifetime - and never will. That tree is the Wye Oak. It was, until its destruction in 2002 during a thunderstorm, the largest and oldest Whit Oak tree in the United States. It was 400 years old and was located in Wye Mills, in Talbot County, Maryland. (URL for WYE Oak https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wye_Oak)
The other tree is not nearly so big or so old - but it is mine. When I was 10 years old, my grandfather died. My grandmother came to live with us, and when she came, she brought with her a young magnolia tree. That magnolia tree is still standing on the corner of my property and, as a matter of fact, has some lovely white blooms.

[Anne Gracie]

Thanks, Kareni — yes, NZ has some beautiful forests — they're cold climate rainforests, similar to the ones we have here in Victoria and Tasmania, only the trees are a different species.

The NZ tree you mentioned might be one like the Tāne Mahuta, also called "God of the Forest". It's not in Auckland, but further north, but there are many giant kauri trees in NZ. The Tāne Mahuta is thought to be the oldest living tree in NZ — between 1,250 and 2,500 years old.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C4%81ne_Mahuta#

[Anne Gracie]

Thanks so much for those links, Quantum — that Woodland Trust site is superb. And yes, awe is the fight word to describe the feeling associated with those ancient trees and reflect on the lost worlds they have lived through. And it's wonderful how there is a growing awareness of the need to protect and cherish our old trees in this knock-em-down world of ours.

[Anne Gracie]

Thank you, Nancy. So sad when large and lovely trees are bulldozed to make way for buildings. How much more beautiful and peaceful would it be for the residents of those condos to live among trees. But sadly, developers only think of profit.

We used to visit my grandparents in their holiday house which backed onto a farm owned by my grandfather's friend, Cyril. It contained dozens of big old gum trees, and I remember being told they were probably big when Capt. Cook sailed past, 200 years ago. Those trees were full of wildlife and my grandfather used to feed kookaburras and would get 5 or 6 at a time sitting on his balcony rail.

Then old Cyril died, and his relatives (who never visited him) sold the farm to developers, who bulldozed the lot. Now his farm is a sea of roofs, not a tall tree to be seen — and no kookaburras or other wildlife, of course. And I didn't want to visit anymore — the magic had gone. And I still grieve for those tall trees.

[Anne Gracie]

Annette, what a lovely thing to do, and how nice to reflect that your trees are growing all around you in Austin. I remember the trees in Austin — I stayed there once in a hotel where my room looked out into a huge old tree, and it was magic.

What a twisted person to have poisoned an ancient tree. I can understand that the history of the Alamo could cause strong emotions on both sides, but to take it out on an ancient tree is vile.

Birch trees are beautiful, I agree.
Thanks for your post.

[Anne Gracie]

Binnie, thanks for that link to the Wye Oak. What a magnificent old tree.
And I love the idea of your magnolia planted in memory of your grandfather. When my eldest sister was born — the first baby of her generation in the family — my father planted an oak tree, and I was always so envious of her having her very own tree. We moved often after I was born, and there was never a garden we owned, though there were some wonderful trees in some of the gardens.

Dad was a tree planter though and in most of the schools where he was principal, he had tree planting campaigns, and there are lots of old photos of him with schoolchildren planting trees. A nice legacy, I think.

Mum and Dad moved back to that original house but by that time I'd left home. We sold that house after my parents died, and I haven't been back to see if my sister's tree has survived — I hope it has, but I'm not game to look.

[Karin]

I love trees, and have many favorites! A hickory in our back yard when I was growing up; my brother and I would crack the nuts with a hammer, because the shells are so hard. An elm tree I used to take note of every day on my way to work. Because of Dutch Elm disease, there are not many old elms in the eastern U.S. A huge cottonwood outside the farmhouse where my family used to take weekend trips. And I have seen many wonderful trees in my travels, like the redwoods and sequoias in California.

[Anne Gracie]

Thanks, Karin for sharing those tree memories with us. I have never eaten a hickory nut, but I have many memories of cracking various kinds of nuts. We children used to compete to crack walnuts, the aim being to split each nut into two perfect halves. We would later make the halves into tiny boats and have races with them. And macadamia nuts (which are native to Australia) are also very hard to crack, as are Brazil nuts.