Why single out trees to give them their own space within these pages, when there are so many different kinds of plants? There is no rational reason for this, but trees occupy a special place in our hearts and minds. Perhaps, it is something about our evolutionary past that has created that deep-rooted connection to the arboreal world in our souls.
Even long after we stopped living in the trees, they have continued to give us comfort and shelter, foods and medicines, as well as materials for almost all our material needs.
The forest is both, an outer reality and a representation of the inner world. What emerged between these realms are human cultures whose roots have become deeply entwined with those trees.
Whether in the Amazon rain forest or in the forest cultures of northern Europe, our relationship with trees and forests have shaped our world in both the material and spiritual dimensions.
This space is dedicated to exploring trees in all their glory.
Why Hawthorn is your heart’s best friend
Plant Profile: Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) When the Hawthorn dapples the hedgerows with its pinkish-white blossom, we know that spring is here to stay. Typically, Hawthorn starts to flower at the end of April or the beginning of May, which is why it is also...
The Camphor Tree
The characteristic scent of Camphor is familiar to anyone who has had a close encounter with VapoRub, but few have ever seen the pure, white crystalline substance from which the scent derives. Still, fewer are aware that this mysterious substance is entirely natural and comes from a tree that is native to southern China, southern Japan, and Taiwan. The Camphor Tree (Cinnamomum camphora) is closely related to the Cinnamon Tree, (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), with which it is sometimes confused. However, the unmistakable scent of the leaves immediately reveals its true identity.
Birch (Betula sp.)
Description: The graceful birch tree has always held a special place in our hearts and minds. Traditionally she was perceived as a youthful Goddess of love and light. Yet, her soft feminine and almost fragile appearance belie her hardy nature. Birch is a tree of...
Apple Tree
Description: The Apple Tree is one of the most anciently cultivated fruits of Eurasia. It is believed to have developed in central Asia, where the greatest genetic variation occurs in the wild. In cultivation, trees are usually trained and do not reach more than...
Annatto (Bixa orellana)
Description: Annatto, or Achiote, as it is commonly called in Latin American countries, is a tropical shrub that can grow up to about 20 meters high. The pinkish-white flowers develop into a bright red, heart-shaped and exceedingly bristly fruit, which is inedible....
Açai (Euterpe oleracea)
Description: A slender, graceful palm of the Arecaceae family, Açai is native to the seasonally inundated lowland forests of eastern South America, especially Brazil. Several stems sprout from its base and it can grow to about 15-25m high. It takes 4-5 years to...
