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What I've Learned from Trees


 Quaking Aspen: The Largest Living Organism! – The Living Urn


I grew up in the Rocky Mountains, and now reside there as a middle-aged man. God's country. My family has lived here for six generations, founded to towns, owned gold and silver claims, timber, farmed and ranched here. My father was killed and is buried here. 

All around me are these beautiful and majestic trees.

For a time, my business was trees. Well, commercial landscaping. Purchasing, planting, cultivating, trimming, and growing trees. I can look at a tree and tell you if it is healthy, I can tell how it's been cared for, and when/where it should be trimmed.

Over the course of my life I've learned a few things about these beautiful creations.

  • Aspen trees are known for their breathtaking Fall colors. But did you know that they are the world's largest living organism? Their root systems are connected and when one member of a grove is sick, the others support it with nutrients. 
  • Because Aspens are a united grove, they aren't as susceptible to disease and insects as their close neighbors, the majestic Pines and Spruces.
  • When an avalanche slides, you will often see those majestic Pines and Spruces piled at the base of a mountain, snapped off at their trunks. Aspens bend, slowly recovering, and eventually return to their original height, often stronger than before.
  • When the ordinary person buys and plants a tree, you will see them stake it - often improperly, crippling it, and almost ensuring it won't survive a storm.
  • Tree stakes can be like a cast, causing trees to atrophy, the trunks to weaken due to an over reliance on the tree stakes.
  • Trees need to experience the brunt of storms, winds, rains, cold...in short, they need to suffer that they might be mighty, strong, and tall. 
  • Trees require nourishment, cultivation, attention, in short...they require love.
  • Trees need to be trimmed, cut back, and carefully pruned. Otherwise they get wild and their limbs grow suckers that deplete nutrients. This weakens the overall trees potential to grow tall, provide shade, or withstand disease and storms.
How alike are we, trees and humans. Stronger when we stand together. More capable when we can face life's struggles. Often unaware of our potential as life trims us back over and over, only to find that we've grown stronger. 

Check your tree stakes. Get out and see those Fall colors. Thank God for these beautiful creations. Unite in service of your fellow man. Love one another. Embrace a good trimming like a champion.

Onward!

Dr. J

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