Some of you must wonder about the seemingly never-ending impact diseases and pests have on our trees. Although I write a great deal about the problems trees have, there is always enduring value to having trees as a part of our daily lives. We have much to be thankful for with encountering the endless pleasure we derive from our trees. I love speaking with kindergarten classrooms about trees. The typical story I hear from children is that trees make them feel happy. Children readily develop a bond with a favourite tree on a park or school playground.
One of my hobbies is to collect the written wisdom of so many authors about their views and encounters with trees. For many writers trees embody a spiritual connection with a universe full of mystery.
Throughout my 45 years working with trees I have been amazed at the sheer number of references to trees by scores of writers. The qualities of trees act like mirrors to the wonders of the human mind. They reflect the noblest ingredients of our spirit and consciousness. Enlightened human societies habitually venerate its oldest citizens. There is an enduring respect for age when it reveals wisdom from the mind's inner depths of experience. Certain trees are unquestionably the oldest biological organisms on the earth. Perhaps that aspect of the longevity of trees is what we admire as a standard for our earthly tenure.
Even when trees die people with an artistic sense of purpose can carve a memorial out of that tree.
Spring and fall are great seasons to plant trees. Plant a tree to celebrate a birthday, a marriage, or some other important event in your life or in the lives of those close to you. Plant trees where they will not affect overhead wires, fences or buildings. Get to know the future size of your tree. A silver maple can be a nice looking tree but it needs plenty of room, it will grow to more than 12 metres tall within 20 to 25 years. When mature this maple species can reach a height of more than 30 metres -- and cause many problems if it is not planted in the right location.
Take the time to explore online or through library books about the attributes of a tree that you admire. Get to know everything about that species before you purchase and plant it.
If you are not sure about a tree or trees that you would like to purchase contact me, I will happily talk trees with you.
Michael Allen M.Sc.F., RPF (ret'd) is a consulting urban forester, tree diagnostician and certified arborist. He owns Viburnum Tree Experts. His recent book Dr. Tree's Guide to the Common Diseases of Urban Prairie Diseases is available in local book stores. He can be reached at 204-831-6503 or 204-223-7709.
Here is a favourite poem called The Oak Sleeps in the Acorn by the early 20th century poet James Allen. It is found in Chapter 6 of his work, As a Man Thinketh.
The Oak Sleeps In The Acorn
Dream lofty dreams, and as you dream, so shall you become.
Your Vision is the promise of what you shall one day be.
Your Ideal is the prophecy of what you shall at last unveil.
The greatest achievement was at first and for a time a dream.
The oak sleeps in the acorn; the bird waits in the egg; and
in the highest vision of the soul a waking angel stirs.
Dreams are the seedlings of realities.
Cornerstone Books, Toronto, Ontario: www.CornerstoneBooks.net
