Trees and Resiliency

My first memories of trees were climbing them when I was younger. I remember my grandma’s house has the best trees for climbing- one in particular that I had many memories playing on was big with many climbing options. There was also a huge tree in the front that we used to take family group photos with (one of which I am in the tree), until it got taken down. I liked having my own space high up in the air so much it made me want to have my own tree house one day. A sanctuary away from the ground and others, which has always really appealed to me. I don’t mind to share with others but I also prefer at least one area that is my own where I can go be away from other people. Maybe that is because I grew up an only child or the introvert in me but it’s what I prefer and what makes me happiest.

While I never had a tree house, I appreciated having an actual playhouse at home instead, which was really fun and got utilized a lot growing up. It is two stories with an upstairs, with electricity that my grandpa hooked up for me. There are a bunch of trees in the backyard that are mostly really old oaks and I have always thought were really cool. There is this huge tree in my neighborhood I would frequently ride my bike by so I could see it because I find it really peaceful. The bigger and taller the tree, the better. Or the quirky and weirder the better. I do not even know what kind of tree it is but I have always loved it.

I have always wanted to see the huge, tall trees in California as I never have and I can only imagine what it is like seeing them in real life. I am happy to say for Christmas this year my husband got me a big book on Trees called ‘The Tree Book: The Stories, Science, and History of Trees’ that I am super excited to read more about. Trees are so fascinating to me and I continue to learn more about them and all the different kinds there are and how they are different yet the same. There are so many different types of trees out there that might look and function totally different than the trees you grew up around. I think each of them being unique are cool in that way. I have the hardest time drawing trees as I have a tendency to draw them with straight branches but trees have more twists and character than that. Similar to people. And I like it better that way as I think we our differences make life more exciting and give us more to learn.

Although I loved climbing them and looking at them when I was little, I didn’t really get into learning more about them until after 2020 when I started to get more into gardening, plants, and nature in general. I now see trees in a whole different way than I did before. Now they are not just something that fades into the background but more as living things that need TLC like all plants do. I notice the way they start changing color during the fall and spring. First only in a few places, then gradually all over.

One tree started to not change with the others, with leaves starting to brown earlier and earlier. It is good to always keep in mind that trees are slow growers and it takes a while before they show signs of any problems, usually when it’s way too late. We have started to lose some trees in the backyard and it always makes me sad. The fact trees are such slow growers means they are perfect for demonstrating how to ‘trust the process’ because the healing process can be like the growing process for trees; slow and maybe not noticeable on the surface.

 

On a drive from Texas to Florida or vice versa, it is interesting to see all the different types of trees along the way. From palm trees by the ocean in Florida, to the tall pine trees lining the highway in Mississippi, to the dark trunks with mossy greenery growing up the spidery branches of the Live Oaks lining the city streets in Mobile Alabama. Of course, now that I am searching for it, I am seeing all these trees I would love to see- like the ‘Avenue of the Oaks’ and ‘The Duffie Oak’, to name a couple.

In my opinion, trees do not have to be tall to be considered pretty or majestic. Looking at huge trees gives me the same feeling as when I look at mountains, which are usually covered by trees so it’s a win-win. It is an awestruck feeling, like when I meet a band in person ever, no matter how famous. When it comes to anything in nature, I also have this disbelief that something like mountains and trees just naturally exists like they are. Reading books, you fall into a world that makes you want to escape from reality with but in those moments when I am in nature surrounded by trees, forests, and/or mountains I don’t want to escape anything. I want to be exactly where I am at, fully in the moment. And that is why I enjoy it and that it helps so much. It is almost like going back to your roots or back to basics, in a way.

I loved driving through Alabama just for all the trees on each side of the street (picture above), which would sometimes connect to create a tunnel of branches to drive through. I always thought that was really cool and a memorable part of the drive for me I never wanted to miss. Some of the trunks were huge but not really tall, some grew so low it almost looked like some of branches reached the ground. Anytime I see a tree with low branches like that it just feels like an invitation to climb it and then it becomes difficult to withstand doing that.

While on my college campus I walked by several trees I never really looked at much in the past and realized how climbable some were and the more I realized that the more I really wanted to do that. I could only imagine how that would have looked in my work clothes in front of a bunch of students walking by, which I ended up realizing wasn’t not a good idea so I didn’t. But if it was off hours and I was wearing more appropriate clothing then I just might. It is good to remember that you are still a kid at heart and no one is too good for being silly and outrageous.

Austin, TX 2020

 

A few trips to Austin I saw a few trees that I had to take a picture of, one of which at this creek where we stopped to let our dogs get in the water (pictured left). This was in 2020 after COVID and we needed out of the house/area for a while. The water was clear and cold, which felt nice since it was May and hot already. I have a picture of one of our dogs that always has to be in front and check everything out before we do and then when we get over the hill there is this huge tree that I captured. When we got up there, we spent some time in the cold, clear water which felt so nice after getting really hot hiking so far in the heat  

In 2022 after we suddenly lost the dog I mentioned before, we took a weekend trip to Austin with our other dog to get out of the house for the weekend and went to this off leash dog park called Red Bud Isle which he loved. Since there were less people there after COVID in 2020, we were able to start training them to walk off leash and this was a test. He is more a people-dog than a dogs-dog, which is opposite for us funny enough. Thankfully though everyone was spaced out enough and he did really well. He did not try to jump in the water as he seemed very unsure and tried to drink out of it, though it is not recommended for them to drink standing lake water. 

Austin, TX 2022

While there I saw this tree by the water that I saw many of the dogs going by so I decided to go check it out. The tree roots were growing all over the ground in a tangled web where you could walk a little further to look around and it was so peaceful. Looking at the pictures now it looks like it is a willow tree, which are beautiful. There were trees growing all along the river there, not just that one. It is fun to look at trees and other plant life and think about how it grew like that. 

Speaking of peaceful, if you hike up a certain trail at Possum Kingdom Lake (might recognize that name also if you listen to the Toadies) you might start to hear wind chimes and think you are about to walk onto someone’s house but instead you will find a tree with a sign that reads ‘Angel View Lookout’ (pictured left). My husband and I stumbled on this spot while exploring the lake as a fun day trip and really enjoyed it. The tree has many things hanging from it and, if you look closely, you can see various things people have left throughout. 

There was a bench out there as well so we both sat quietly looking out at the lake and did some reflecting which was really peaceful. This was in 2022 after losing several people and animals unexpectedly and the toll it took on us mentally. The view of the lake is great and really shows off the vastness of the park. This was not in the State Park so did not cost anything to park or access the trail. The lake is pretty big and weirdly shaped. I would not mind going back.

We collectively as humans do not appreciate trees enough for what they do for us. We are way too quick to cut them down after it took years and years for them to grow as they have, ages which might surprise you. There is a species of Pine called Great Basin Bristlecone Pine that is almost 5,000 years old! Trees teach resiliency and that you are stronger than you or others might think. Planting a new tree, especially a fruit tree, is knowing you might never get to actually enjoy it because they take so long to ow and have edible fruit than other plants.

My pomegranate plant is still growing into a small tree and hasn’t fruited yet, but it’s been surprisingly resilient so far. I think that is probably because it has these thorn-like spikes and has no fruit yet. A few years ago, we also planted a nectarine tree in the backyard which has fruited but the squirrels get to it before we do. I have thrown around the idea of giving the squirrels a ‘yes’ plant or fruit to eat somewhere else, which I plan on learning to compost sometime in the future as well so that might work out.

I still have so much to learn about trees and nature, I only wish I had this drive to learn about the world earlier in my life so I could appreciate it longer. Maybe if others had the same drive, they might see the climate and environment more as a priority to do something about it rather than point fingers or make up false claims.

Make up your mind

Make up your mind

And I'll promise you

I will treat you well

My sweet angel

So help me, Jesus

~Possum Kingdom by Toadies