Roy’s Sunday Letter for March 30, 2023
ABOUT TREES
“Who plants a tree plants hope” Lucy Larcom
“A true meaning of life is planting trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit.” Nelson Henderson
Why write a Sunday Letter about trees? When Beth and I returned to Fort Worth, we experienced the joy of trees of all types, sizes, and colors often missed in Amarillo and Santa Fe. Fort Worth has many large, spreading Oaks. This is the 5th spring of our front yard planting of a Native Oak tree. My cell phone has recorded the seasonal magic of our Oak moving from winter bare branches to early blossoms and now to the emerged green leaves of spring.
Trees provide us branches to climb, tree houses and swings and shade for our homes, benches, and walks. And, like you and I, trees can suffer too. Drought, insects and disease, wildfires not only destroy the land but also elimination of seeds for badly needed regeneration of our shrinking forests. Warming temperatures impact our water supply, our comfort and lifestyle, and trees are cautious to risk new growth in these stressful conditions.
Has there been a favorite tree in your youth or even now? What type of tree and where was it located? A Christmas gift to Beth was the recognition card of sponsoring the planting, in her name, of a grove of 5 trees in a New Mexico National Forest. I clearly remember the silence, lack of sound, of leaning against a tee in an Oregon rainforest. What of trees do you remember?
Trees have taught me the importance of being grounded, of being rooted. Although I know longer climb trees, I remember the youthful view from high branches and the excitement of looking around and over roof tops. Trees have to drink clean water and so do all of us, so advocating for healthy rivers and lakes is important.
Trees are the silent witness to our generosity and our caring for Mother Earth. No doubt our trees have been proud of us, and other times ashamed. I end this writing by saying I work and serve on behalf of trees. And, honored to do so.
Roy, still learning what trees have to teach me
A few fun facts I’ve learned over the years – may get one a beer at bar trivia someplace (Broken Spoke?). A tree can take up to 10 to 150 gal of water daily, cleans the water and adds moisture. A mature tree produces enough oxygen to support 4 people each day. Favorite tree is the Willow.
My 1st draft included tallest and oldest tree.
The water required more than I knew or projected.
Favorite trees your native land???
Were you a tree climber???
Good comments…..RB
Trees were not abundant in the houses I grew up in but after my parents moved to the burbs we had lovely trees, my favorites were the Dogwoods. Jim tried several times to grow a Dogwood for me here in Texas, but the summer heat was not kind to them. I will stop my car and gaze at a Dogwood given the opportunity. Texans are grateful for the shade trees provide in the summer and occasionally we are lucky enough to see lovely colors in our short Fall season. Thank you for reminding me of how special Mother Nature is.
dogwoods are indeed beautiful. Yes our TX heat is limitation.
The spreading oaks here on the west side are wonderous….awesome.
We 3 could go gor a drive around and just look and applaud our trees.
Trees inspire, as do you.
RB
Roy, I had the same reaction to trees when I returned to Chicago. I live across from a huge park filled with TALL trees. I often drive down side streets that have tree canopies. What joy they bring.
Friend Meg….across from a park would be lovely.
SFe small, narrow roads brough us closer than FW freeways, devoid of life.
So, good for you and our shrinking wild zones of trees. RB
The most beautiful trees that I recall seeing were the Blue Spruce trees in Minot, North Dakota. The blue hue from the trees stood out brightly against the landscape. It was the summer of August 2001. I was there for the birth of my grandson. He is 23 years young and now lives in Florida. I have not been back to Minot but seeing how he has grown reminds me of God’s love for creation.
Billie, I think we all long for that spark or moment of beginning.
And, wish form work for finding our way back,
Comments to Comments…..each making me a better writer, Roy
My favorite sound in all the world is the wind blowing through the Aspen groves in the Carson National Forest or the Pecos Wilderness. When we ride, we often don’t talk a bunch, but rather enjoy the rhythm of the horse’s hooves and the whispering of leaves. X/O LM
I planted 2 Aspens in our SF back yard. “Feet in the mud, head in the sun: Miss each, Last driveby the Aspens were my first look.
So,yes on trees. My editor made the suggestion……Trees are something outside of ourselves, which help make ourselves true.
rb
Trees have been important to our family for most of my life – Growing up, on a small Minneapolis lot (40X120) we had a humongous Maple that shaded the house from the summer sun (before A/C). Moving to Ft. Worth, our first daughter was born during the spring and flowering of the Magnolia. Although tempted to name her that, we instead named her after her grandmother. Moving back to Minnesota, Nancy insisted on a house that was in a location that was truly “Minnesotan”. Hence, we find ourselves on a large lot, with an Elm in front, a Red Oak on the side, a Burr Oak on one side of the back and a huge White Oak between our house and the pond, full of ducks and geese. A couple of years ago, I planted a Crabapple in the front yard, which will add spring color. On the occasion of the birth of our granddaughter, my sister gifted an apple tree to her parents and now with granddaughter at age 27, the apple tree provides a fine apple crop about every other year. On my first visit to our other daughter in Florida after the death of Nancy, we picked out, and planted a lemon tree in their yard, to commemorate the life of Nancy. Guess this is fitting for the grandson of a homesteader who settled in the region of Minnesota that is known for its White Pine and lumbering.
A lifetime of tree stories and memories.
I raise a morning coddee cup to Nancy, trees, grandkids, and you…..all in the best of thoughts and well wishes.
RB
Re: Linda’s comment: There is a Tewa word that refers both to the sound and the sight of aspen leaves quaking in the wind. Friends of ours from Santa Clara named their son this, Tenani (not sure of the spelling).
My favorite tree was a large elm in our front yard with a comfortable fork where I could sit, which I often did for long periods, watching unobserved as the world went by.
I raise a coffee cup to large Elm trees.
I Amarillo ice storms brought down many a limb.
Being still, observing is an art and craft perhaps requiring age to appreciate.
A note back to a good mana f friend. RB
Great letter Roy.. seems many hold the same feelings about trees. When I was in grade school my grandparents lived in a trailer park in Arlington. this Park backed up to the rail road tracks , there near Bowen and Division streets.. there was a huge oak tree near the tracks.. every time we heard a train coming we would sprint to the tree and climb up to watch the train go by.. such a grand memory….. years later I bought a property in Joshua and built my kids a super duper tree house in a huge oak in the back pasture.. so much fun.. great writing Roy.. Happy Monday to all..
Touch the train…..wow, an experience I have not had.
Bird feeders, treehouses, observation limbs, and more.
Good memories…somehow trees have patience with us 2 legged ones.
RB
As a boy, I often enjoyed the adventure of climbing a big pecan tree in our front yard in the Mississippi delta. Later, in the San Francisco Bay Area, I loved the serenity of walks among the majestic redwoods of Muir Woods in the evening after the tourists had gone. The immensity of the trees, the ferny undergrowth, the scents, the flowering of rhododendrons here and there in the spring, the marvel of the redwood canopies of tiny leaves drawing life-giving moisture from the misty fog – all made walking the trails a rejuvenating experience.
Although they are not trees, the profusion of giant saguaro cactus around Tucson, Arizona never ceases to amaze and inspire me with their size, the weird shapes of their arms, the endless diversity of their Sonoran Desert environments, and the wildlife they sustain.
Such variety of plant life around the country and the world is truly amazing. What a blessing!
The variety of trees, yuccas, and more does bring us to a halt with wonder and aww.
And, they do so quietly, over time, taking the long view of daily life.
A bit like the people around us, but with more noise.
Thank you for good words.
I look at trees I walk or drive by in a grateful way Monday.
RB