Pass On a Leafy Legacy: Plant a Tree

"Trees"
I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray,
A tree that may in summer wear,
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me
But only God can make a tree.
Joyce Kilmer (1896-1919)

Those of us of a certain age can quote thisfamous poem by heart — or at least the first two lines. What a moving tribute to the majestyof trees. And they are magnificent: ancient oaks, fragrant pines, delicate aspens, towering cottonwoods. They give us shelter and shade. Their swaying limbs are an awesome reminder of God's power and grandeur. Their leafy music calms and comforts us. In autumn, trees lay carpets of color on dying lawns — and in spring, their pale buds signal warmth and new beginnings.

The Bible is rife with stories in which trees are central characters. Take this example:

And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil . . . (Genesis 2:8-9, NKJV)

King David used tree imagery frequently in his poetry . . .But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. . . (Psalm 52:8, NKJV)

The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. (Psalm 92:12)

The Bible also mentions sycamores, pomegranates, figs, poplars, myrtle, balsams and gopherwood (what Noah's Ark was constructed of).

Did you know . . .

• Laboratory research indicates that visual exposure to trees significantly reduces stress (measurable by changes in blood pressure and muscle tension)?
• Trees greatly improve water quality by helping to prevent land erosion and the movement of sediment and chemicals into streams?
• The net cooling effect of a young, healthy tree is equivalent to ten room-size air conditioners operating 20 hours a day?

How to Plant a Tree

1. Dig a hole large enough for all the roots to fit below ground level.
2. Put a shallow layer of topsoil in the hole.
3. Set the tree so that the roots are all in thehole, but not too deep.
4. Cover the roots with topsoil, peat moss, orsubsoil mixed with humus.
5. Pack firmly.
6. Water well; add mulch.

According to The National Wildlife Federation, there are about 60-200 million spaces along our city streets where trees could be planted. That many trees would have the potential to absorb 33 million more tons of CO2 every year, saving $4 billion in energy costs. And if that's not incentive enough to get you out there with a shovel, mature trees on your property boost values by nearly 10 percent and help you save on summer utility bills.

The National Arbor Day Foundation invites you to plant a tree (or two) this spring. Not only will you help replenish the tree population, but your efforts will ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy these magnificent symbols of God's unfathomable creativity.

Why not consider organizing family and friends to plant trees in your local community? And what a great activity to do with your grandkids! You can plant a tree in someone's memory, or to celebrate a wedding or a birth.

If you aren't up to the physical task of planting, go to www.arborday.org and plant a tree by e-mail! The NADF Web site has loads of fascinating and helpful information on how to organize and support tree-planting events in your community.

Do your grandchildren and great grandchildren a favor: plant a tree today, so they will be guaranteed the experience of passing a lazy summer day safely tucked in the crook of a mighty oak, where they — like the tree in the poem — can also "look at God all day."

Roberta Rand Caponey is a freelance writer living in Colorado Springs, Colo.

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