My sister-in-law is into hugging trees. Before she mentioned this to me it wasn't something I had thought much about except to dismiss it as some vaguely hippy thing to do.
But I'm coming round to the idea....I've always liked to feel the texture of the bark on trees.
Have you ever felt the ridged thick bark of a Wellingtonia (sequoiadendron giganteum)? It's much softer than I expected and almost spongy to the touch.
These are one of the giants of the tree world. There's something iconic about them. The sequoia that grow at the House of Dun near Montrose were planted in 1856. That makes them slightly younger than our house! The tallest one was measured at 126ft (38.5m) in 1990.
These are one of the giants of the tree world. There's something iconic about them. The sequoia that grow at the House of Dun near Montrose were planted in 1856. That makes them slightly younger than our house! The tallest one was measured at 126ft (38.5m) in 1990.
The glossy colourful bark of the Tibetan Cherry Prunus serrula is also tempting to run your fingers over. It's so smooth and with just a few knots.
or the peeling bark of the Silver Birch Pendula jaquemontii
But lets not get too highbrow about this. It's just as good to hug a willow or a sycamore or any other kind of tree.
And not surprisingly it's now been discovered that it's good for you (and the tree?) It is said that plants and trees facilitate the cleansing and revitalizing of all of the stored up negativity and stress humans experience and give it a place to be absorbed. It's all done through vibrations, I'm told...
I'm not quite sure how much of the theory I would take on board but we all know that working in the garden with plants and trees is therapeutic.
There is even a " The Hug a Tree Project" site. Here's the link
Even if people don't go around hugging trees, they do appreciate their presence and the benefits of the green leafy things in our landscape. Folk get a bit annoyed when officials start to cut down the green leafy things without even a by-your-leave. Take my home city as an example. Edinburgh officials in their infinite wisdom thought that cutting down the trees along a stretch of the Water of Leith would help with flood defences. Can't work that out myself. I thought the roots of the trees stabilised the banks of the river preventing erosion and preventing flooding. Locals were furious and it was stopped at least temporarily. You can read about cutting trees down in Edinburgh here.
If you want to hug a tree as part of a group or even en masse the official "Tree Hugging Day" is March 9th 2012
I have never thought of actually hugging a tree but I do like to be around them - they give off some sort of 'karma' for me, especially in a woodland.
ReplyDeleteThis was a very entertaining post, Janet. I also enjoyed the quote you chose very much.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite trees is the paperbark maple, because it lends such interest to our landscape - especially during our 'shades of white' season here in Michigan.
Like Debra i also like your quote. Your barks in temperate climes are lovelier than ours here, but we have lots of variations too! I know tree hugging is beneficial for us but i seldom see big trees near my area. We allow the positive energies from trees enter us though our palms and other energy centers, and our electro magnetic fields are normally healed. I took pranic healing course and my hands are sensitive to energies, so i can actually feel the beautiful energies from them. We who lives in polluted cities need to go to forests more often to cleanse our energy fields, directly from them or the higher negative ion concentration inside forests and near fresh bodies of water, not to mention the higher oxygen there, direct from the oxygen generators. Do you feel the nice feelings of well-being after going to these places?
ReplyDeleteI don' usually go around hugging trees, but I can see where it would make both feel a little better. I may hug a tree tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteInveterate tree hugger and proud of it (but not when anyone's looking),
ReplyDeleteDave
I love tree hugging. I have some particular favourites on a walk we do in the Wye valley. It is very old woodland and the trees have a great presence and solidity about them. I find it very calming hugging the trees there.
ReplyDeleteLast photo made me smile. Hugging trees takes me back to my childhood.
ReplyDeleteI don't 'hug' but I do like to sit near enough to lean on an obliging tree. Waiting patiently for the one we planted near the bench to become a leaner!
ReplyDeleteI didn't realise there was an official tree hugging day. Trees and their trunks and bark are amazing, and particularly this time of year when easier to see. By the way, the gloves in the last photo are great!
ReplyDeleteI love this post and the photos! I don't hug trees, but I do touch and stroke them (maybe just as nutty as hugging?).
ReplyDeleteI do hug trees. I only do it when they call to me - send me vibrations? Some day I'll won't do it furtively.
ReplyDeleteWhat are those officials thinking cutting down trees on riverbanks? Are they crazy?
I love hugging trees! I love bark and its colors and textures. The question is, how is it possible for it to feel like the tree is hugging back when it doesn't have arms?
ReplyDeleteSplendid scraggy bark. You make me realise i have NOT been diligent about my tree postings.
ReplyDeleteI'm generally more of a tree-patter but could give hugging a try. The feel of the bark is always surprising somehow, no matter whether it's smooth or craggy.
ReplyDeleteSo glad there are other people indulging and being proud about it! I go and give my Western Red Cedars a friendly pat on almost a daily basis, but they're a bit large to hug (also there's stuff in the way).
ReplyDeleteThat shot of silver birch bark is just beautiful!
I must admit to be more of a toucher where trees are concerned. Hugging tress is not something i openly do, just call me a bit shy.
ReplyDeleteI've not experienced the vibrations/energy as Andrea or my sister-in-law have...maybe I'm just not sensitive enough... But like so many others I do like trees around as they make me feel good.
Howver did I manage living in Orkney where there's a distinct lack of trees?
More of a tree stroker, love feeling the texture but I have been known to hug one or two in the garden where no-one can see me!My silver birches and Prunus serrula get a wash and brush up twice a year to make them even more tempting!
ReplyDeletePauline you're not the only one to give your trees a bit of tlc. So does Mr K at "Gardening at the Edge". So far ours look okay without the clean and brush up, I'm gld to say...
ReplyDeleteJust love this post - I LOVE trees!
ReplyDeleteI also love your Orkney Garden - wow! Amazingly beautiful it must be there! Very jealous!
Happy New Year Janet,
ReplyDeleteFor some reason I have only just had a good look at all the photos of both your Orkney and Montrose gardens, so impressive and so much hard work, you are very talented.
I hope your 2012 garden adventures are equally successful,
Best Wishes, Cat (Who, like Stacy, often gives friendly pats to trees as i stroll by)