tree, in its light and shade, one would hope, would long
remember us gathering round it. It will be the constant,
however subsequent events might so radically alter.
Planting a tree is deeply spiritual, affirming its importance
and affirming our connection to a profound ancient past
when the fertile earth played a more evident central role
in our being. Planting reminds us
that trees and nature should not
be objects of disregard but objects
central to our attention, central to
our survival. Bette Midler, writing in
an earlier issue of HYLAND, asserts
their importance in all the small
urban gardens which she creates
throughout New York City.
If you choose to plant a tree, here
are some suggestions, purely my
own thoughts. Chestnuts evoke
an image of grandeur; cherry,
happiness and birth; oak, solidity;
walnut,
sophistication;
cedar,
fragrant solitude; mahogany, wealth; ebony, beauty and
willow, emotion.
Our Japanese maple symbolizes the endurance and
tenacity of seemingly delicate things. Would that all of
us who gathered to give that tree a place at Foxholm
remain happy in its light and shade. H
HYLAND