Growing a friendship with a tree
Little gifts for a special tree
"There's nothing wrong with having a tree as a friend." - Bob Ross
Most days during lockdown I took a walk to a beautiful tree that I love.
Sometimes I would simply see it and then head home, other times I sat and watched the tree, sometimes for quite a long time. Possibly I even said a few words aloud.
Once or twice I may have cried when I visited this tree.
Thinking about this quote from Bob Ross reminded me of different trees from my life that I have loved and visited.
I recalled the more tactile nature of visiting and spending time with trees as a child, the rough feel of the bark, the ants and other insects crawling over them, the scraps and bruises from climbing and maybe even falling a little bit.
I remember lying on the apricot tree branch and daydreaming, I remember the accomplishment of climbing high in the pine trees in the middle of our court, spending time up there with friends.
I remember the steadiness of different trees that have been a constant when there has been turmoil in other parts of life.
It made me wonder if other people have friendships with trees, if they have had important trees at different times in their lives, and have favourite trees they like to visit now.
I wondered about how we are helping our children cultivate a love for and appreciation of trees. I feel like sometimes I have worked on this and at other times it’s dropped off my radar.
Some people plant a tree when their child is born and that link with the life of their child creates a connection with that tree and that place.
Here are some other ideas that might help grow a friendship with a tree.
Find a tree that’s accessible to your family - it might be in your own yard, it might be on your walk to the park or school, or it could be at a favourite family picnicking spot (luckily there are endless choices for finding a friendly tree!).
You might like to start fresh with a new tree you plant together.
Find something that you/your child likes about the tree and talk about it together. Maybe it’s the scent of a lemon gum, the beauty and shape of the tree's trunk, or the smooth or rough surface of the tree when you touch it.
Let your child know that lots of people have trees they love, tell them a story of a tree that has been important in your life.
You might like to draw the tree, or take a pencil or charcoal rubbing (its fancy name is ‘frottage’) on the surface of the tree.
You could keep a photo of your special tree on the fridge at home.
Spend some time admiring your tree and noticing its new growth and the changes it undergoes through the seasons.
Let your children know they can tell the tree things, either silently or aloud. Maybe while placing gentle hands on the tree's trunk.
Sit under your tree and daydream.
What are some other ideas you have for making friends with a tree and helping your children to appreciate and acknowledge special trees in our life?
