Friends who live in "the back of beyond" bought a small maple sap evaporator last Fall and in a recent email they said that the strengthening sun and lengthening days are getting them excited about tapping some of their many maple trees in a month or so.
This made me think of the Jewish Day of Trees called Tu Bishvat. It occurs in January or February, depending on the Jewish Calendar and it is a now sort of Jewish Arbor Day, which celebrates the everday miracle of the trees which clean our air, provide shade, and are home to so many creatures. They are a gift of God in so many ways.
I like thinking about the life flowing in trees at this time of year when they appear to be dead. Many of you saw our photos of some amazing trees on Vancouver Island during our recent trip.
Are you fond of trees? Do you have a favorite tree? C'mon, admit it!
Trees have always been part of my life and home landscape. Heights have always bothered me but I love to climb trees. I was raised by parents who planted trees - not for themselves but for their children and grandchildren. When looking for apartments, one of the major requirements is trees on the property. My favorite tree - the sugar maple and white birch for year round color, the elm for majesty, and the cedar for smell. Yeah, I am a bonafide tree hugger.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was little, we had a big old tree just off the deck that I used to climb with the enthusiasm of a monkey (which I was, at that time.) I can still remember the route you had to take to get to the top, and all of the contortions I had to make along the way.
ReplyDeleteNow when we head to my dad's place, my own kids have a tree to climb with the added challenge of dodging falling apples in the autumn.
An any case, trees have a place in our lives and memories in my neck of the woods.
My favourite tree is the magnolia or flowering tulip as it is sometunes called. We have one on our front lawn and it blooms early May with the most gorgeous pink blossoms. The flowers only last a few days before they fall but it is magnificent in full bloom. As soon as I see the first hint of pink I get excited. It brings back great memories... our girls climbing it and us taking pictures of them in the pink blossoms, our daughter's wedding in early May and the pictures taken beside it, setting out the patio chairs and wrapping up in a warm sweater to sit and watch the squirrels playing in the branches. Now our grandchildren enjoy the same tree and ask the same questions about the magnolia and they love to climb the sturdy branches. Our tree is a comforting and familiar sight every spring, much like the sight of St. Paul's when we turn the corner on Sundays for church.
ReplyDeleteWe have a maple tree in our yard that we planted when our daughter was born and we have pictures of her standing under it's branches the day she was married. It is a soft maple, so it grew quite quickly providing shade over the sandbox and swing set. It's lost a few limbs over the years, but still provides lots of shade and it is a great tree for climbing. When kids are here it seems to call their names, and our granddaughter loves to get up in it and "perch". It also provides for us a wonderful reflection of days gone by.
ReplyDeleteI'd rather see trees than concrete any day!
ReplyDeleteHaving grown up on a farm I hope you don't hate me for cutting down my fair share of trees. I've busied myself cleaning up fence rows along the fields. I take out the ones that lean over the fields, and the weaker ones that take nutrients from the crop, and stronger trees.
ReplyDeleteIt lets light penetrate deeper into the woods to promote growth. What I cut makes great fire wood. Ash, and Cherry are the most prominent where I'm cutting.
I love being out side with nature, I'm sure I need the exercise. Doesn't take long to work up a sweat.
I now how images of some of you swinging from the branches. Cool.
ReplyDeleteMaybe a "greatest hits" of trees makes more sense Susan.
I too love magnolias. They do seem so exotic in a Canadian setting.
I like the idea of a tree standing sentinel through the seasons of a family's life.
We won't hunt you down sjd. Actually I was going to include in my blog entry that trees are a source of heat and beauty after they are cut. In another pastoral charge I shared a leased bush lot with three parishioners. It was selective cutting and we took out a lot of cordwood to stoke our wood stoves.
Thanks all.
I am also lover of trees, especially climbing trees. I loved to climb when I was younger. One of my fears when moving to Saskatchewan was that there would be no trees, but we have the best of both worlds. Lots of prairie from which to see sunrises and sunsets and lots of climbing trees in our back yard. I now love to watch my boys climb trees and swing on the hammock between the trees.
ReplyDeleteAnd I miss maple trees, especially in the fall!