Holly Tree

What would the world be like if every human could sense the aliveness of nature?

Earlier this month, my friend, Regan flew in from Connecticut and we spent 4 days in the cabin at Magic Tree Sanctuary. 

On the second day, we took a day trip to meet a friend, Catherine, who invited us for tea at a park in Germantown, North Carolina. She told us about an ancient holly tree in one of the park’s meadows so we decided to hike down the trail to see her. 

Stepping into the meadow, I saw the magnificent tree sitting before me. She was the largest holly tree I had ever seen. At my best guess, I’d say she has to be several hundred years old---her multiple thick branches meeting at the base to form an enormous trunk. 

She is awe inspiring.

But upon closer inspection, I could see the tree was covered in carvings--initials, hearts, drawings--as high up as a person could reach. There was even some evidence that people had climbed the tree and left their mark. 

Almost every square inch of the holly’s trunk had deep, deep wounds.

While the tree was certainly remarkable, I couldn’t feel anything but pain as I looked at her. So much scarring and pain inflicted by humans.

We, the human race, have destroyed so much of Mother Nature in our quest to leave our mark on her. 

As I stood in front of this holly, I thought here in a small North Carolina town was a representation of all the harm we have inflicted over time. 

If only we all could see the beauty... if only we all could see this tree (all trees) as a living, breathing being and not as an object. 

If we all could, would the tree have been vandalized like she had been?

If we all could see this planet and all her inhabitants as living beings, would we treat her like we do?

Regan, Catherine, and I stood around the tree for a little longer, marveling at her size and beauty. We had brought the flowers (a bouquet of Magic Tree Sanctuary’s rhododendron blossoms and ferns) from our tea table with us and we laid them at the base of the tree.  

A gift. 

Or in my mind, an apology.

Forest Love,

Julie

We have forgotten how to be good guests, how to walk lightly on the earth as its other creatures do.  —Barbara Ward