Going Out on a Limb - Arbor Day Around the Globe

Trees.

Life-giving, majestic, sentinels of time. We line driveways, create memorials, use as privacy buffers, climb on, hang from, and depend upon them for resources. They flourish in our books, movies, and Art of many mediums. Yet our thoughts and attention go deeper than the day-to-day applications. 

What is our fascination?

AI answered my question with the hypothesis that this “stems from a deep, multi-faceted connection, blending physical, emotional, and biological factors. Trees offer essential life-giving benefits (oxygen, shade, resources), possess calming aesthetic beauty, and foster a sense of grounding and permanence.” Additionally, AI surmised we benefit from reduced stress in their calming presence. I agree with the point that older trees “evoke a sense of history, wisdom, and stability.” The realization that trees communicate, share nutrients, and support one another adds to the wonder.

I am not alone in my fondness for trees. As a collective, the United States celebrates trees on Arbor Day. What I did not realize is that states declare this on different months and days. It makes sense as the seasons switch by region, and therefore planting parameters as trees burst forth in flower and unfurl their leaves at varying times.

On April 12, 1872, Nebraska City, Nebraska established roots of the very first Arbor Day. You can read the history in Carla Olson Gade’s post. After this historic event, other states joined the revelry. Now over 50 countries participate as well. Impressive that the efforts and initiative of one man in 1872 who addressed a need for trees in the barren plains of America spread across the globe. To date, over 500 million trees have been planted! (I read posts of an earlier celebration by Spain in 1594 but couldn't find a solid source or agreement of the location.)

From humble beginnings of shovels and hands, this day now monitored by The Arbor Day Foundation has scientific support and detailed planning. According to their website, they "use GIS mapping, environmental, socio-economic, and location data paired with local guidance to identify areas of greatest need." Combined efforts worldwide aid in replenishing this natural resource.

In honor of the upcoming Arbor Day on April 24th in Georgia, I would like to share some stellar trees we visited recently across the country. Join me at our first stop Point Defiance, Washington with its monumental trees. 

I'm not sure which specimen you see at left in all its stately glory. Below, left and right, say a hearty hello to Giant Sequoia ‘70437’ at 8.36m/27.43’ in girth and 39.02m/128.01’ tall. Goodness that is a lovely tree. Despite a document providing statistics on 22 of the resident trees, I could not find an estimated age. I queried and found it is probably relatively young at anywhere from 50-150 years. Sequoias can reach full height of nearly 250-300 feet. Can you imagine? I took the second photo at bottom right sheltered beneath its lacy limbs. Snuggled under the canopy, childhood stories danced in my thoughts. What a special spot.

  

There are many other old growth and interesting trees at Point Defiance. With each encounter, I wondered what they witnessed over the years. The people passing. Technology changing. From horses to horse and buggy, to cars, and eventually planes flying overhead. All the while the steadfast tree extends roots deep below and branches wide. Embracing our exhales and releasing a gift we often take for granted.

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Our next stop is John's Island near Charleston, South Carolina. Wait until you see this Low Country Treasure. Estimated at over 400 years, this Live Oak Tree is 65 feet tall and about 28 feet around. It shades roughly 17,000 square feet of area. The longest branch is 187 feet! The caretakers of the Angel Oak supported some of its limbs and repaired others. Visitors flock to this mammoth tree each year in droves. The parcel now housing Angel Oak Park was part of a 1717 land grant to Abraham Waight. Later, in the mid-1800s, Justis and Martha Angel acquired the land. Hence the name Angel.

Do we even need words?


   

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Take a walk around the Angel Oak with me...

And another view...

Look at those limbs...

Our last stop is with the Patriot Tree at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. To be honest, this was a bonus. I had no idea we would cross paths with this sentinel. We visited our son last week and stopped to appreciate this 175 year old Live Oak. Imagine, this tree existed in this very spot before the Civil War changed the landscape. How's that for perspective?

That concludes our current tour. Which was your favorite? 

If you would like to read some prior posts featuring trees:

Liberty Trees
Trail Trees
Trail Trees II
Stave Churches, fashioned from trees and an old lilac tree to boot.

Rebecca and her husband share a townhouse with their rescued dog named Ranger, who is not spoiled in the least. They are enjoying a new season nestled in a quaint southeastern US city. She is a proud mom of an American soldier and an Aerospace grad student. If it were up to Rebecca, she would be traveling - right now. First up, trips to see their two grown sons. As a member of ACFW and FHLCW, she tackles the craft of fiction while learning from a host of generous writers.

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Unexpected Encounter - Trifecta

Where Modern Art and history meet, the intersection is golden. The depth of value at an historical site climbs as multiple facets merge. In the case of Dickman Mill Park, the effect is tripled. This Park features the trifold attraction of a former wood processing site, an Art installation, and related media honoring the Puyallup People.

Dickman Mill Park rests along Puget Sound in Point Ruston, Washington. We favor this area with the walking paths, Point Defiance Park, and local eateries. It is possible to move from the end of Point Defiance to the Tacoma Chinese Reconciliation Memorial all on foot while discovering historical markers along the way.

We passed one such marker on two recent trips. On the first, my husband remarked how neat it is when efforts combine to bring history to life through Art. True words. We walked the length of the exhibit, read the accompanying details, and observed the metal creation, noticing varied images depending on the vantage point. On the second pass, we enjoyed the installation again and gained even more appreciation after listening to the accompanying media. With two simple clicks, visitors can hear a tribute to the Puyallup People and learn of their history in relation to the area. Song, language, legend.

This unexpected trifecta exists as a treasure hunt from what we experienced with visitors encountering the exhibit. Yet another example of getting out what you put in. Imagine multiple scenarios:

A passerby observes the landmark from a distance and keeps walking...

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Another takes a few moments to enter the location and view the site as is. Walks through the stages of the presentation and exits to complete the stroll.

The final visitor peers from afar, explores while reading the placards, and pauses to avail themselves of the additional media. Channeling a three bears experience here as Goldilocks listens to the SoundCloud and declares it, "Just right."

In researching this post, I discovered there is a fourth enhanced option of online discovery after the fact. I’m grinning now because I did not realize there is also text within Mary Coss’ steel Ghost Log. Now I am itching to go back to see it in person. Third time is a charm, right? Getting ahead of the story. Let's go back a few years. Or maybe more than a few.

Did you know, Tacoma was known as the “Lumber Capital of the World.” How did they acquire this moniker? A plethora of timber along with proximity to the railroad and the ocean provided an ideal location for waterfront sawmills. Dickman Lumber Mill Company operated on this site from the 1890s to the 1970s and was in fact the last remaining mill in 1977. All that remains at present are a refurbished head saw, crumbling concrete foundations, and the 8’ by 44’ steel Ghost Log created by local artist, Mary Coss.

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At the height of use, the head saw could cut nearly 150,000 feet per day. Wait until you watch the video offering a snapshot of volume in its heyday. The size of the trees! Cutting by hand – two men at the saw. The worker climbing the tree with haste and only a rope. Imagine the bravery required for many facets of this mill.

 

Long before the mill existed, the Coast Salish people lived on this land. The Ghost Log serves to honor the Puyallup Tribe. As I mentioned earlier, text exists upon this structure. The artist added traditional Twining and Lushootseed words with the help of the Puyallup Tribe. How neat is that? I encourage you to listen to this short recording, titled Ghost Timbre. This rich collage of voices, songs, and sounds celebrates the history of a people and this site.

What do you see in the sculpture above? I believe Art allows us to see and ponder anew each time we observe a piece. Depending on where you stand when you look at the Ghost Log, you can envision multiple objects, scenes, or even possibilities.

I think desired aspects of traveling could be equated to books if one is a mood reader for example. At times we hope for a light escape. At others we seek a humorous tale. Sometimes, we long for an in-depth story to transport us in time, space, or perhaps both. When the next opportunity arises for viewing a site brimming with history, I wonder which you will choose.

As a child, Rebecca loved to write. She nurtured this skill as an educator and later as an editor for an online magazine. Rebecca then joined the Cru Ministry - NBS2GO/Neighbor Bible Studies, at its inception. She serves as the YouVersion Content Creator, with over 145 Plans, in 46 languages on the Bible.com app.

Rebecca and her husband share a townhouse with their rescued dog named Ranger, who is not spoiled inthe least. They are enjoying a new season nestled in a quaint southeastern US city. She is a proud mom of an American soldier and an Aerospace grad student. If it were up to Rebecca, she would be traveling - right now. First up, trips to see their two grown sons. As a member of ACFW and FHLCW, she tackles the craft of fiction while learning from a host of generous writers.

Connect with Rebecca: Facebook Goodreads Instagram Pinterest X/Twitter