Trees fascinate me, but Douglas Furs in particular catch my imagination. They are full of life and remind me of my own journey with its many branches and diversions, yet it continues to grow straight and tall. I marvel at how the forest appears simultaneously wild and serene. It’s unorthodox. Nothing about it is understandable, but everything about it flows into a cohesive whole that provides summer shade, perches for birds, structures for children to test their climbing skills, and places for lovers to read poetry while marveling at nature’s beauty.
This tree is old and gnarled, having had to twist and turn to accommodate itself to the unsuspecting ups and downs that occurred during its lifetime. If you look closely you will see many wounds, yet they eventually healed and allowed the tree to continue to grow. It reaches out for light yet hovers near the ground within reach of all who chose to learn from its wisdom. I imagine its roots growing deep, allowing it to communicate to the other organic organisms living nearby.
Unfortunately, too many hillsides that should be richly covered with trees are dead or dying. The Santiam Pass painting to the left depicts one of many devastating burns occurring all too often throughout the planet. It is what land looks like in the Jefferson National Forest in Oregon after fire brought devastation, and burned 40,418 acres. It took 2,300 fire personnel and $38 million to contain the damage. A heating planet is making this scenario a common one throughout the globe.
The painting to the right is of the Pearl District in Portland, and is representative of many cities that have eliminated their forests to make way for paved streets and high rise apartments. Dwellers unwittingly replaced fresh clean air living with dirt and pollution that blackens their lungs.
Malheur Sunset depicts dusk in eastern Oregon where trees provide a place for song birds to rest from their daily search for food and water. Unfortunately, this wildlife reserve suffers from drought. Over the past twenty years, the number of migrating birds that stop for water along their way north have greatly diminished.
The Tree, to the right is a 3 D rendition of a rich Pennsylvania landscape. It demonstrates what can be when people take care of their land rather than strip it dry. The tree and surrounding farmland supported generations of Amish farmers who farm organically. Trees create oxygen for them to breathe deeply without fear of being poisoned, while carrying away carbon dioxide and other toxins that might ruin their lungs.
Each of us has a responsibility to care for the land that sustains us. To date, human beings have not done a very good job. But, by changing habits and nurturing one small seedling, we can overcome centuries of destruction caused by the naive, uncaring people who put the earth in crisis mode. Today, we know better. Scientific information provides us with data that tells us what to do. It’s time to take care of planet earth and replant the Garden of Eden.
