Three Powerful Lessons Trees Can Teach Us About Aging
I’ve been doing some long walks in the forest this fall and I’ve adopted hugging trees again. I used to do this on walks with my friend, Sandy, years ago. We’d be walking along and all of a sudden she would step off the side of the trail and start hugging a tree. I would follow suit, and, as my face pressed up against the rough bark and my arms stretched around, I would start to feel calm. I’d close my eyes and say a prayer before unwinding my arms to continue my walk.
The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben is an absolutely amazing read. We’ve all known how trees live hundreds and, in some cases, thousands of years, but the collective nature of trees is more complex than I knew. I gained new respect and love for our forest friends.
Did you know that trees cry when they are thirsty? The frequency is too high for our human ears to pick up, but scientists have studied the root systems and, when they dry out, they make a vibration just like our vocal chords do. They cry.
Did you know that trees’ roots are connected underground? They will communicate with each other if there is a threat or if a tree is needing extra nutrients.
Don’t even get me started on how they work with other organisms. From mushrooms and moss to forest insects and animals, trees link all things together. For instance, willow trees are either male or female. The bees have to get the pollen from the male trees first before transferring it to the females, so the males produce a brighter-colored flower that attracts the bees to them before going to their less colorful female trees to finish the pollination.
We shed about a half a pound of skin a year. Who knew? And it’s this shedding that allows our skin to grow. Trees do the same thing with their bark. They shed and expand as well. If you ever see a really old tree, you’ll notice that the bark has a lot of deep grooves in it. These are the trees’ wrinkles.
As I learn more and more about trees, I reflect on all they can teach us on aging gracefully and even some lessons on how to die gracefully. Here are three lessons on living that trees teach us:
Grow a deep root system. As tall as trees are, their roots go down that far and, as stated earlier, those roots are connected and in constant communication. So we need community.
Give yourself grace to grow. Trees grow slowly. They aren’t in any hurry to grow big fast, but, in time, they will grow strong and tall. We are here on this planet to grow, so give yourself time to develop.
Give back to others. The big ones protect, give shade, nutrients and encouragement to the younger ones. So what are we doing to help the little saplings in our lives to grow? And even in death, trees continue to give nutrients to the forest and other trees for years to come.
As you know, I’m in my fifties now. (Okay, I know I’m aging backwards now, so forty-nine), lol. I have grandkids and things like AI, war, natural disasters, and disconnected people weigh heavy on me sometimes. Although technology is supposed to be helping us, it seems to keep us disconnected and isolated. I know that aging can feel daunting (why do you think I’m aging backwards?) and the fear of the future can feel overwhelming, but if we just follow a few of these lessons from our big, green ancestors, we may find some peace and grace in the process.
If you need a community of like-minded people, consider taking an art class or a paint/sip class to connect with others.
Our kids need art now more than ever. Help a sapling by sponsoring a kid to take art classes…
or share with friends and family who have kids. Share this flyer on social media.
We need each other to grow a healthy community, so stay connected and, next time you are on a walk, hug a tree!
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