Introduction
Some of my earliest memories are of trees. My sister and I are close in age and a routine dental appointment had us scaling the old Apple tree in our back garden to hide. I have a photo of two young girls, safely out of reach, nestled in her branches laughing. I used to swing for hours looking up at her abundance through the seasons dreaming, singing, and making plans.
Nature gently teaches us as we watch her trees putting down roots while reaching for the sky. Flowing with change, shedding leaves in autumn to create room for new buds in spring. Bending and giving way as different weathers blow through. Cleansing air and water, cooling streams for fish and other wildlife reducing soil erosion, absorbing carbon dioxide, and helping to slow down global warming.
Trees symbolize life, shelter, change, flexibility, creativity, building and strength. Our landscape would be forever changed without them.
My hope with the Life of Trees online book is you find some calm and peace within its pages.
Rowan Tree
The Rowan tree (or Mountain Ash) is a native deciduous of the United Kingdom, with creamy white flowers in spring and vivid red berries in autumn.
In ancient Celtic folklore, the Rowan was seen to offer protection and is believed to have a high vibrational energy of gratitude. It makes a perfect housewarming gift and is thought to help clear the mind and inspire.
There was a beautiful Rowan tree in the front garden of our home when Emily was an early teenager. At that time, my sister-in-law Autumn, bought an old miner’s cottage in Cumbria, and there was a Rowan at the bottom of her long back garden. Autumn had long been a child of nature, and the move to that home sparked something deep within. She started to study nature and natural medicine from trees, plants, and herbs. Nature flows back to nature.
The Rowan Tree by Caroline Oliphant
Oh! Rowan Tree, Oh! Rowan Tree, thou'lt aye be dear to me,
Intwin'd thou art wi' mony ties o' hame and infancy.
Thy leaves were aye the first o' spring, thy flow'rs the simmer's pride;
There was nae sic a bonny tree, in a' the countrie side.
Oh! Rowan Tree.
How fair wert thou in simmer time, wi' a' thy clusters white,
How rich and gay thy autumn dress, wi' berries red and bright!
On thy fair stem were mony names, which now nae mair I see,
But they're engraven on my heart - forgot they ne'er can be!
Oh! Rowan Tree.
Oh! there arose my father's prayer, in holy evening's calm,
How sweet was then my mother's voice, in the Martyr's psalm!
Now a' are gane! we meet nae mair aneath the Rowan Tree;
But hallowed thoughts around thee twine o' hame and infancy.
Oh! Rowan Tree.
Silver Birch
Silver Birch, is the first of the tree symbols for new beginnings, regeneration, hope, new dawns, and the promise of what is to come. The Silver Birch carries ancient wisdom and yet, appears forever young.
Myrtle Tree
The green leaves of the Myrtle tree are a symbol of wellness, prosperity and abundance and are known to attract positive vibes and uplifting energy.
Oak Tree
The Oak tree is one of the most loved trees in the world. It is a symbol of strength, morale, resistance, and knowledge and is often associated with honour, nobility, and wisdom.
Whipsnade Tree Cathedral
In the village of Whipsnade, Bedfordshire in 1931, Mr E K Blyth, founded the Tree Cathedral to remember those killed in the First World War. A symbol of hope, faith, reconciliation, and peace.
It flows across 9.5 acres and is planted in the form of a medieval cathedral, with grass avenues for nave, chancel, transepts, chapels (each representing a season), cloisters and "walls" of different species of trees. There are wood carvings of owls, squirrels, and birds beside benches, and it is a magical place.
Olive Tree
A beautiful symbol of longevity, perseverance, peace, healthiness, growth, and toughness as it can survive drought.
It evokes the bountiful energy of the Mediterranean and memories of hot days, deserted beaches, old farms clinging to hillsides, azure blue seas, and a slow pace of life.
Lemon Tree
Lemons are a symbol of life, sustenance, cleansing, freshness, healing, happiness, love, light, and optimism. To dream of a Lemon tree is a sign of growth and wealth.
A friend had a new kitchen installed and I painted a lemon tree in a terracotta pot on the wall by her kitchen patio doors. She had a beautiful Aga stove and while I was painting, she was cooking for her family, and we were chatting quietly. The breeze carried in scents from her garden through the open doors and the sound of cows lowing in the field. A heart memory.
Trees by Joyce Kilmer
I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
© Copyright Jane Sturgeon 2020
No part of this book, or the whole, can be used, shared, or quoted without the author’s express written permission.
Comments