Loved this. I enjoyed the different views and angles on trees. And this insight, that something happens when we become “less an external observer of nature, but more an integral being in commune with the environment.” When we anthropomorphize, we keep ourselves centered and miss how strangely “other” these beings are. In my (very limited) experience, they are not at all like us.
"They are not at all like us" - this makes me feel somewhat relieved and grateful. I accept your point that anthropomorphism restricts our experience (reason for the self-scolding). However, for those who see the natural world only as a material resource to exploit, then perhaps anthropomorphic storytelling is one means for subverting that stance?
Great point. It might be the only way back for us Moderns. Confession time: I tried reading "The Island of Missing Trees," but couldn't get past the (what seemed to me) overly intellectual "voice" of the tree. It felt like a mouthpiece for the author. I should probably give it another try. I did enjoy "The Overstory," but that doesn't take on a tree POV. This is all very close to the bone, as I'm working on a story from the POV of a maple tree. Thank you for the reminder of the Calvino story. Will definitely check it out.
The Island of Missing Trees, wasn't my favourite of her novels (I recommend 10 minutes 38 seconds - really loved that book though it has nothing to do with this subject!), but I did take from it a greater awareness of the impact of historical events I had little knowledge of.
I admit, I sometimes find it hard to get past non-human characters in books, e.g. I found Daniel Quinn's Ishmael off-putting until I got into the message of the book. This actually supports your initial point, trees, gorillas ... are not at all like us and when portrayed that way it is hard to get past the author's own perception rather than being immersed in story.
Yes!! I remember being very into Quinn's book at the time, but that was long ago, at the beginning of my journey. I expect it would land differently now. It's really more of an allegory than an "other" POV.
I have planned to re-read it as a couple of things from it keep popping into my head. I announced I'd review it around now, but it's been pushed forward for at least another couple of weeks. I may do it as an opt-in group read, so if you're up for it, watch this space.
Thank you so much for including mention of A Fall In Time as a part of such an engaging, personal and powerful piece. I really appreciate that, and what you say is spot on. The longer I stayed out there, the more entwined I became with all around me. It was as though the mycelium somehow got into my brain, making space for roots of other kinds, all showing me a different way to be. I am enjoying sharing that adventure here, but I cannot wait to one day be able to put it into a book format--the progression you pick up on, towards a deeper sense of being in the woods, I think that will work even better in a book format. Maybe I should start querying it.
I might not read your words immediately (thanks, time restrictions!), but I do read them, and when I do I am awed by how you take a topic dear to me and make it seem so fresh and vivid (oh, the 60th birthday paragraph! How I love the way you describe this!), full of all it means to be alive. Thank you so much.
Ditto, I could easily say the same about how your own words affect me. Yours is an incredible story, and I feel it would work in book form. I'd read it! AND trees are trendy again!
'The mycelium got into my brain' - that was my picnic oak and redstart experience albeit it very short-lived. I love discovering new white threads in soil I'm trying to build (with the help from the critters below), it kind of makes me feel I'm doing something right, though the garden occupants are probably rolling their eyes - 'You know nothing, Safar Fiertze!'
The birthday - a great way to spend one of those big 0 days!
I agree about trees being trendy again, I also think they are like those who always set fashion, rather than follow it--they know that, whatever they do, by simply being trees, it will work. Whether others realise it at the time, or some point later, doesn't really matter, trees have long memories, after all.
You are right about those white threads, they are witness to the work you put in, and also a validation of that time spent. I'm sure the occupants of the garden are grateful!
My next big O day will be my 50th, in 2027, which seems an impossible, futuristic date. More so than 2023, for some reason. I am certainly open to any and all suggestions as to how to celebrate (especially since I usually hate being the centre of attention and, perhaps, this time, I should make a bit more effort!).
Interesting about how certain numbers like 2027 seem more futuristic than others. There's probably a numerological association we have deep in that collective unconscious.
What to do for your 50th? I think we should throw that out into the chat space maybe, see what weird and wonderful ideas, folk come up with!
This is outstanding, Safar, thank you for all of this wonder on trees! Trees definitely talk. I think it's a matter of us humans learning a different way of listening than we're accustomed to. And I feel the same as you about pruning things (even house plants). I can't help but think of it as a limb being severed, which would be terribly painful and traumatic. But people who know far more than me assure me it's good for the health of the tree or plant. The trees do look healthier after a pruning so I guess they're right. My thinking of plant stems and tree branches as animal limbs might be an anthropocentric projection on my part. I suppose the next step for me is to learn the language of trees and ask them.
I am actually planning to get someone who knows more about tree care in for a chat about our own trees, really to know if any are at risk and how best to manage them longer term. It's good to get different perspectives, but even better if you get the trees' themselves. I'm with you on that next step!
Loved this. I enjoyed the different views and angles on trees. And this insight, that something happens when we become “less an external observer of nature, but more an integral being in commune with the environment.” When we anthropomorphize, we keep ourselves centered and miss how strangely “other” these beings are. In my (very limited) experience, they are not at all like us.
"They are not at all like us" - this makes me feel somewhat relieved and grateful. I accept your point that anthropomorphism restricts our experience (reason for the self-scolding). However, for those who see the natural world only as a material resource to exploit, then perhaps anthropomorphic storytelling is one means for subverting that stance?
Great point. It might be the only way back for us Moderns. Confession time: I tried reading "The Island of Missing Trees," but couldn't get past the (what seemed to me) overly intellectual "voice" of the tree. It felt like a mouthpiece for the author. I should probably give it another try. I did enjoy "The Overstory," but that doesn't take on a tree POV. This is all very close to the bone, as I'm working on a story from the POV of a maple tree. Thank you for the reminder of the Calvino story. Will definitely check it out.
The Island of Missing Trees, wasn't my favourite of her novels (I recommend 10 minutes 38 seconds - really loved that book though it has nothing to do with this subject!), but I did take from it a greater awareness of the impact of historical events I had little knowledge of.
I admit, I sometimes find it hard to get past non-human characters in books, e.g. I found Daniel Quinn's Ishmael off-putting until I got into the message of the book. This actually supports your initial point, trees, gorillas ... are not at all like us and when portrayed that way it is hard to get past the author's own perception rather than being immersed in story.
Yes!! I remember being very into Quinn's book at the time, but that was long ago, at the beginning of my journey. I expect it would land differently now. It's really more of an allegory than an "other" POV.
I have planned to re-read it as a couple of things from it keep popping into my head. I announced I'd review it around now, but it's been pushed forward for at least another couple of weeks. I may do it as an opt-in group read, so if you're up for it, watch this space.
Definitely, sounds interesting. Thanks.
Thank you so much for including mention of A Fall In Time as a part of such an engaging, personal and powerful piece. I really appreciate that, and what you say is spot on. The longer I stayed out there, the more entwined I became with all around me. It was as though the mycelium somehow got into my brain, making space for roots of other kinds, all showing me a different way to be. I am enjoying sharing that adventure here, but I cannot wait to one day be able to put it into a book format--the progression you pick up on, towards a deeper sense of being in the woods, I think that will work even better in a book format. Maybe I should start querying it.
I might not read your words immediately (thanks, time restrictions!), but I do read them, and when I do I am awed by how you take a topic dear to me and make it seem so fresh and vivid (oh, the 60th birthday paragraph! How I love the way you describe this!), full of all it means to be alive. Thank you so much.
Ditto, I could easily say the same about how your own words affect me. Yours is an incredible story, and I feel it would work in book form. I'd read it! AND trees are trendy again!
'The mycelium got into my brain' - that was my picnic oak and redstart experience albeit it very short-lived. I love discovering new white threads in soil I'm trying to build (with the help from the critters below), it kind of makes me feel I'm doing something right, though the garden occupants are probably rolling their eyes - 'You know nothing, Safar Fiertze!'
The birthday - a great way to spend one of those big 0 days!
I agree about trees being trendy again, I also think they are like those who always set fashion, rather than follow it--they know that, whatever they do, by simply being trees, it will work. Whether others realise it at the time, or some point later, doesn't really matter, trees have long memories, after all.
You are right about those white threads, they are witness to the work you put in, and also a validation of that time spent. I'm sure the occupants of the garden are grateful!
My next big O day will be my 50th, in 2027, which seems an impossible, futuristic date. More so than 2023, for some reason. I am certainly open to any and all suggestions as to how to celebrate (especially since I usually hate being the centre of attention and, perhaps, this time, I should make a bit more effort!).
Interesting about how certain numbers like 2027 seem more futuristic than others. There's probably a numerological association we have deep in that collective unconscious.
What to do for your 50th? I think we should throw that out into the chat space maybe, see what weird and wonderful ideas, folk come up with!
I did wonder if it is also the syllables? There's just something about the spoken rhythm of 2027 which you don't get before that!
I am willing to listen to any and all suggestions for said celebration! The weirder, the better!
This is outstanding, Safar, thank you for all of this wonder on trees! Trees definitely talk. I think it's a matter of us humans learning a different way of listening than we're accustomed to. And I feel the same as you about pruning things (even house plants). I can't help but think of it as a limb being severed, which would be terribly painful and traumatic. But people who know far more than me assure me it's good for the health of the tree or plant. The trees do look healthier after a pruning so I guess they're right. My thinking of plant stems and tree branches as animal limbs might be an anthropocentric projection on my part. I suppose the next step for me is to learn the language of trees and ask them.
Thank you, Jenna!
I am actually planning to get someone who knows more about tree care in for a chat about our own trees, really to know if any are at risk and how best to manage them longer term. It's good to get different perspectives, but even better if you get the trees' themselves. I'm with you on that next step!
'If we surrendered to earth's intelligence we could rise up rooted like trees.' ~ Rainer Maria Rilke
Dream wilder ♥ ☀ ★ 🌳 💜 💚 🌞 𝕊𝕡𝕒𝕔𝕖𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕡 𝔼𝕒𝕣𝕥𝕙
https://vimeo.com/channels/639670 ♡❥🌳 🐝 #PlantAForest
That is a great quote. Think you'll like this week's post!