Part 3. Guardians of Life
Trees are guardians of life. Deep roots help hold the soil; soil holds water and nutrients. Photosynthesis in needles and leaves absorbs carbon dioxide, breaks it apart, uses the carbon and releases oxygen back to the atmosphere. Trees provide habitat and protection for animals, large and small. Even a lone tree like this one can be home to birds of prey at treetop level, smaller birds in holes in the trunk, and still provide nesting sites along the limbs. Imperfect as it looks with its one-sided aspect, this Ponderosa is shade and shelter, oxygen-bearer, and home to abundant life. A whole forest helps ameliorate the climate.
I could go on about their virtues, but the wonderful thing is, trees are also beautiful. Alive with purpose and posing with grace, they speak to me. I love trees. I love this tree; we are bonded. I captured its image on paper, and the lines and textures are now part of my inner art gallery.
I want to be careful not to get too anthropomorphic here. A tree after all is just a tree. I don’t hug trees. This one would be rough and scratchy, and I probably would come away with pitch on my shirt. Trees are important as part of something bigger, a planned part. Forest communities nurture life, affect climate, benefit the water cycle, and are part of the mystery of creation. They are integral to the equilibrium, the balance, of dynamic earth systems. When we interfere with nature’s ways, we throw the system out of balance and can cause long lasting damage. The damage affects the forest, and it affects human life. In contrast, when we conserve, repair, and restore forest communities, we benefit life, including ours.
I hear a car door slam and shouts of greeting. I wake from my reverie and start packing my gear. The cousins have arrived. I can’t wait to show them the small wonders we found: the clump of pink elephant-head wildflowers down by the creek, the wild roses. Catching fish in that small stream will be difficult, but if anyone can do it, it will be my nephew. I hoist my art pack and say goodbye to the Ponderosa Pine. It has been a peaceful morning. I’m glad I stopped to take another look.