“Trees were the temples of the gods, and, following old established ritual, country places even now dedicate an outstandingly tall tree to a god.”
Pliny the Elder, Natural History
What we find in the news and social media tends to frame much of what we think about throughout the day. This calls for a consideration of our daily thought patterns.
We rational animals are always thinking about something or other. But just what we think about—and in what mode and unto what end—can vary dramatically. As individuals and even as a society we might become very narrow in our focus. We might become fixated on certain things and then spend much time thinking—and perhaps worrying—about these, to the exclusion of other things.
There are of course practical things that require our attention, research, and deliberation. And we certainly should not hide from the pressing matters that need to be faced.
Nonetheless, I think our contemporary habit now tends toward obsessive attention to certain matters—some of which rightly call for attention, others of which do not—to the practical exclusion of many other things: things that can and should give balance and context to the daily churning of our thoughts.
Tall trees are especially wondrous. Pliny’s account reports that many ancients associated them with the gods. It’s interesting to think about why. Somehow trees made people think of higher things—as though a tall tree pierced into a world above our own. Or rather, a tree embodied and signified the presence of something transcendent, yet very much of the earth, right here among us.
Trees speak of solidity and permanence. They speak of patience and endurance. They speak of the future and a hope. They speak of life, even amidst death.
Is this just an optimistic projection and/or a desperate seeking of refuge? I don’t think so. Trees are saying something to us. They always have been. We might not rightly hear what they are saying—that will take effort on our part. But I am absolutely convinced that today more than ever, we would do well to make space to leave behind the steady thrumming of news and media and refocus our attention.
It is a real step in restoring our health and inner peace to take the time to practice thinking about the trees.
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Pliny the Elder (23-79 AD) was a Roman naturalist and general. His Natural History is an important early work in natural science.
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Agreed! I’ve always thought that a home needs trees around it to be complete. I’ve never understood those developments whereby houses are on an acre or more of treeless lawn. They’re so stark, the houses so lonely. And such a destruction of nature. Only grubs and worms can survive; even squirrels and birds are banished.
No, a home, yard, a development need trees. And what satisfaction it brings to select a tree, plant it, care for it, and watch it grow over the years. For me, that’s even better than a garden, which is saying a lot.
Tom, Well said. I won’t even take issue with your garden comment. There is nothing like a tree.
It is no coincidence that the bridge to the Roman Empire, The Catholic Church, describes the cross of the crucifixion of Jesus as ‘The Tree’. So many subtle and ancient ideas about The Tree of Life, so many cultures and religions who honour our close cousins, trees. We share so much physically in common that it is not surprising that we love them and associate them with life ..and love when we carve a heart and our true loves initials on them!
Josee, I think sometimes I have been a bit too reckless in carving initials in trees. We love especially the smooth beech trees. I often have to restrain myself and my children from carving in them!
Trees are among the first things that come to my mind when considering my own contingency. I can easily imagine a world without me. After all, I’m going to live maybe 90 years. Many trees have been around long before I came to be and will be here long after.
I extrapolate from there. Trees wouldn’t have to be. In the end, is there a necessary being? That is God. Everything else is contingent.
I do admire trees for their durability, their longevity, and their usefulness – whether in recreation (picnic beneath the tree) or in resource – sap, resin, syrup, etc.
Rob, I like especially your point about longevity. There really is something remarkable about the length of life of trees. But then even they are indeed contingent…
Thank you for the sage advice. I’ve been slowly pondering what it is the trees have to tell us. Then lo and behold, I heard the Psalmist himself reflecting on this when he speaks of the blessed man, “And he shall be like a tree planted near the running waters, which shall bring forth its fruit, in due season. And his leaf shall not fall off: and all whatsoever he shall do shall prosper.” (Psalm 1:3)
How beautiful that listening to the trees is not only lovely, it has shaped Scripture itself and is meant to shape out lives as well! And I think the better we listen to both the trees and the Psalmist, the more we will want to “be like a tree.” (Psalm 1:3 again!)
Nicolette, Thank you so much for this beautiful reflection! I am going to meditate more on that Psalm myself. Again, I thank you.
Thank you for this timely post. I just spent the last two days walking through some family woods with three of my kids, making plans for taking care of the big oak trees in it—trees that were there long before I was born and many that will stand long after my children are gone! What a great perspective—to set our hands to work that was begun long ago and that will last long after we are gone.
Amen, Rev. Johann, Amen. All best in tending those oaks!
Stop to smell the trees….stop to ponder the trees.
The rings of a tree show us it’s growth yearly, and while some years the tree flourishes, other years the tree barely grows….man also has seasons and must grow accordingly to what God gives on each day, month or year.
The mighty cathedrals of old also had this symbolism of reaching the heights of the heaven in where all good things come.
Anthony, I like your reference to the difference between fat and lean years. There are so many analogies between us and the trees!
Notwithstanding the fact that he lives in Oklahoma, which isn’t generally thought to be abundantly blessed with trees, my son has become quite a competent arborist. He has been blessed with a gift of knowing just where to make a cut or pruning to eventually beautify the tree and make it more graceful, shapely, and (if a fruit-bearing tree) more productive. What I love is that he can do this not seeing, perhaps for several years, how his pruning will turn out, but with the confidence of faith in knowing that the result will be wonderful. What a lovely metaphor for our faith in Jesus.
Joe, I completely agree. And what a gift to be such an arborist. I still have so much to learn.