This weekend saw social media light up with references to “Hug a tree day” - apparently this is an actual national day in the US calendar that takes place annually on May 16th and encourages us all to care for our trees and plant trees. Whilst it’s great to build awareness, our appreciation of trees (and woodland in general) should be a constant, not just aligned to one day.
And I think for most of us, it is.
Nature is definitely my safe place - long walks clear my head and provide perspective. Nature makes sense of things - it allows you to think outside your own small world and appreciate the beauty in the simplest of things. Trees are the majestic Kings; giants with stories to tell, some of which are shared through their wondrous rings. Each one is unique, like a finger print. The beauty of the curved lines with their fine textures and uneven edges is hard to capture as a drawing. Tree rubbings work well but etching plates are perhaps the best way to capture the intricacies of the lines - the carved graphic lines and inky burrs work really well.
More importantly though, beyond their obvious beauty, trees (especially very old ones) can offer clues about what the climate was like long before measurements were recorded. But that’s another story.
For now, trees are my natural constant - to be appreciated and loved EVERY day.
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