Ancient Tree Forum


Luthien Tinuviel J R R Tolkien (1982 - 1973)		"The leaves were long, the grass was green, The hemlock-umbels tall and fair, And in the glade a light was seen Of stars in shadow shimmering. Tinuviel was dancing there To music of a pipe unseen, And light of stars was in her hair, And in her raiment glimmering. There Beren came from mountains cold. And lost he wandered under leaves, And where the Elven-river rolled He walked alone and sorrowing. He peered between the hemlock-leaves And saw in wonder flowers of gold Upon her mantle and her sleeves, And her hair like shadow following. Enchantment healed his weary feet That over hills were doomed to roam; And forth he hastened, strong and fleet, And grasped at moonbeams glistening. Through woven woods in Elvenhome She lightly fled on dancing feet, And left him lonely still to roam In the silent forest listening. He heard there oft the flying sound Of feet as light as linden-leaves, Or music welling underground, In hidden hollows quavering. Now withered lay the hemlock-sheaves, And one by one with sighing sound Whispering fell the beechen leaves In wintry woodland wavering. He sought her ever, wandering far Where leaves of years were thickly strewn, By light of moon and ray of star In frosty heavens shivering. Her mantle glinted in the moon, As on a hill-top high and far She danced, and at her feet was strewn A mist of silver quivering. When winter passed, she came again, And her song released the sudden spring, Like rising lark, and falling rain, And melting water bubbling. He saw the elven-flowers spring About her feet, and healed again He longed by her to dance and sing Upon the grass untroubling. Again she fled, but swift he came, Tinuviel! Tinuviel! He called her by her elvish name; And there she halted listening. One moment stood she, and a spell His voice laid on her: Beren came, And doom fell on Tinuviel That in his arms lay glistening. As Beren looked into her eyes Within the shadows of her hair, The trembling starlight of the skies He saw there mirrored shimmering. Tinuviel the elven-fair, Immortal maiden elven-wise, About him cast her shadowy hair And arms like silver glimmering. Long was the way that fate them bore, O'er stony mountains cold and grey, Through halls of iron and darkling door, And woods of nightshade morrowless. The Sundering Seas between them lay, And yet at last they met once more, And long ago they passed away In the forest singing sorrowless."

The Heart of the Tree Henry Cuyler Bunner		What does he plant who plants a tree? He plants a friend of sun and sky; He plants the flag of breezes free; The shaft of beauty, towering high. He plants a home to heaven anigh For song and mother-croon of bird In hushed and happy twilight heard The treble of heaven's harmony These things he plants who plants a tree. What does he plant who plants a tree? He plants cool shade and tender rain, And seed and bud of days to be, And years that fade and flush again; He plants the glory of the plain; He plants the forest's heritage; The harvest of a coming age; They joy that unborn eyes shall see These things he plants who plants a tree. What does he plant who plants a tree? He plants, in sap and leaf and wood, In love of home and loyalty And far-cast thought of civic good His blessing on the neighbourhood Who in the hollow of His hand Holds all the growth of all our land A nation's growth from sea to sea Stirs in his heart who plants a tree.

Tree Of Life Louis Rams		Tree of life tree of love tree from God up above this tree was implanted in our hearts at birth to enjoy life and all its worth. this tree posses all the love we hold and controls our very soul. the tree branches spread wide to touch all of mankind filling your bodies from hunger and quenching the thirst within your soul a wondrous beauty to behold. the tree of life God's sight God's might i give you my love you give me your prayers eternal life we will share you in me-and me in you this is what we have to do. spreading the fruits of the tree to all mankind, and of love divine.

Knowing of a Tree Randy L. McClave		Knowing of a Tree It is a good thing indeed When someone plants a seed And to watch and help it grow So someday, it to be a tree. It is a good thing in truth When a tree brings forth its fruit Or to shade someone's head Or its branch be a robins nest. It is good when a tree is used By nature, or by me or you To protect or shelter lives For a tree; it never dies. A tree is someone's home A tree is someone's good book A tree is never alone, For to know a tree, all you do; is look. It is good to plant a tree It is good to plant a seed For someday it will be grown And a tree, will be known.

I Love a Tree Samuel N. Baxter		I LOVE A TREE When I pass to my reward. Whatever that may be, I'd like my friends to think of me As one who loved a tree. I may not have a statesman's poise Nor thrill a throng with speech But I may benefit mankind If I set out a beech. If I transport a sapling oak To rear its mighty head Twill make for them a childhood shrine, That will not soon decay. Or if I plant a tree with fruit, On which the birds may feed, Then I have fostered feathered friends And that's a worthy deed. For winter when the days grow short And spirits may run low I'd plant a pine upon the scape T'would lend a cheery glow. I'd like a tree to mark the spot Where I am laid to rest For that would be the epitaph That I would like the best. Tho it's not carved upon a stone For those who come to see But friends would know that resting there Is he, who loved a tree.

Giddy Tree- David Hart		Giddy tree, oh giddy tree You tickle my funny bones You see Your branches swirl and twirl And you look all gnarled and Ready to unfurl You creak and swing with Ease In a sweet swirling and Affectionate breeze Feisty tree, oh feisty tree Butterflies dance And fall in a frenzy At your knees Silly tree, oh silly tree Ladybugs sunbath and linger Giddy on your leaves Limber tree, oh limber tree You give and you live A delight to the Sight and always you please Dreamy tree, oh dreamy tree Love birds surround you and like adventurous ships sailing on Sprite and dazzling seas Charming tree, oh charming tree Little children squeal and tickle and swing on your arms in the breeze oh so fickle Mysterious tree, oh mysterious tree The sparrows adore you The squirrels they implore you The owls ever asking you, Who, who, who The stars with certainty Know you are no fool You are a funny and twisty and dreamy and mysterious and wonderful and charming tree, you.

AwingAshes - Haiku Series		Ancient tree breathes life into me as I climb up old cobblestone steps. This tree; my friend. How lovely when invited in to warm affection. Offered kind shelter among this fairytale wood where fiction mingles. A playground so sweet, imagination runs wild, as my body's freed. This tree; guardian, watching over everything, especially me. As I prance around, fingers caressing magic, my tree, awaiting. These trees, our saviours, with a life only to give; oxygen I breathe. A life of beauty, given by our forestry; Ancient tree breathes life.

Hans Christian Andersen (1805 - 1875)		That ancient tree, don�t let it fall Until old age is knelling; So many things it can recall, What tales it could be telling. We once did see its blossom-haul Each branch with fruit was swelling. That ancient tree, don�t let it fall, You must not think of felling! Now to be journeying I yearn But yet the truth in part is One does but travel to return, For home is where one�s heart is. When this old tree stands blossom-tall, I�m nearly home it�s telling; That ancient tree, don�t let it fall, You must not think of felling!

Tree Magick Lavenderwater		"Time-honored, beautiful, solemn and wise. Noble, sacred and ancient Trees reach the highest heavens and penetrate the deepest secrets of the earth. Trees are the largest living beings on this planet. Trees are in communion with the spiritual and the material. Trees guard the forests and the sanctified places that must not be spoiled. Trees watch over us and provide us with what we need to live on this planet. Trees provide a focal point for meditation, enlightenment, guidance and inspiration. Trees have a soul and a spirit."

John Muir, Ancient Trees		'"Among all the varied productions with which Nature has adorned the surface of the earth, none awakens our sympathies, or interests our imagination so powerfully as those venerable tees which seem to have stood the lapse of ages, silent witnesses of successive generations of man, to whose destiny they bear so touching a resemblance, alike in their budding, their prime and their decay."

Ella Wheeler Wilcox		''God, what a joy it is to plant a tree, And from the sallow earth to watch it rise, Lifting its emerald branches to the skies In silent adoration; and to see Its strength and glory waxing with each spring. Yes, 'tis a goodly, and a gladsome thing To plant a tree. Nature has many marvels; but a tree Seems more than marvellous. It is divine. So generous, so tender, so benign. Not garrulous like the rivers; and yet free In pleasant converse with the winds and birds; Oh! privilege beyond explaining words, To plant a tree. Rocks are majestic; but, unlike a tree, They stand aloof, and silent. In the roar Of ocean billows breaking on the shore There sounds the voice of turmoil. But a tree Speaks ever of companionship and rest. Yea, of all righteous acts, this, this is best, To plant a tree. There is an oak (oh! how I love that tree) Which has been thriving for a hundred years; Each day I send my blessing through the spheres To one who gave this triple boon to me, Of growing beauty, singing birds, and shade.

Joyce Kilmer 1886�1918		'I think that I shall never see A poem lovely as a tree. A tree whose hungry mouth is prest Against the sweet earth's 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.'

Vetera Felix Dennis		'What have you seen? Whom did you shade? How many winters have battered your boughs? How many seeds did you sow in this glade? How many beetles and birds did you house? Where is your crown? Shattered and flayed? Fear no usurper to topple your throne! Here you shall stand in your royal glade And the day of your falling shall be your own'

Chief Edward Moody Qwatsinas Nuxalk Nation		''We must protect the forests for our children, grandchildren and children yet to be born. We must protect the forests for those who can't speak for themselves such as the birds, animals, fish and trees.'

Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 - 1894)		'It is not so much for its beauty that the forest makes a claim upon men's hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air that emanates from old trees, that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit.'

Margaret Meads Anthropologist		'Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.'

'Pleasures and Regrets' Marcel Proust (1871-1922)		'We have nothing to fear and a great deal to learn from trees, that vigorous and pacific tribe which without stint produces strengthening essences for us, soothing balms, and in whose gracious company we spend so many cool, silent and intimate hours.'

Proverbs ch 23 v 10		'Remove not the ancient landmarks'

John Muir (1838-1914)		'God has cared for these trees, saved them from drought, disease, avalanches, and a thousand tempests and floods. But he cannot save them from fools.'

Sylvia Plath (1932-1963)		'The wet dawn inks Are doing their blue dissolve On their blotter of fog The trees seem a botanical drawing Memories growing, ring on ring, A series of weddings'

Rainer Maria Rilke (1875-1926)		"Silently the birds fly through us. Oh, I, who long to grow, I look outside myself, And the tree inside me grows."

"Spirit Tree" S. Edward Palmer		"In towering splendor once I stood A regal monarch of the wood, My branches once reached to the sky See me now but do not cry. The Creator's work has yet to cease I've become a shelter for bird and beast, And when at last I fall to the Earth The life I leave will inspire new birth; A seedling springs forth from the ground Nature's cycle goes round and round."

"The Return of the Native" Thomas Hardy		"The wet young beeches were undergoing amputations, bruises, cripplings, and harsh lacerations, from which the wasting sap would bleed for many a day to come, and which would leave scars visible till the day of their burning. Each stem was wrenched at the root, where it moved like a bone in its socket, and at every onset of the gale convulsive sounds came from the branches, as if pain were felt."

William Shakespeare "The Merry Wives of Windsor"		"Sometime a keeper here in Windsor Forest, Doth all the winter-time, at still midnight, Walk round about an oak, with great ragg'd horns; And there he blasts the tree, and takes the cattle, And makes milch-kine yield blood, and shakes a chain In a most hideous and dreadful manner. You have heard of such a spirit, and well you know The superstitious idle-headed eld Receiv'd, and did deliver to our age, This tale of Herne the Hunter for a truth.

George Pope Morris Journalist and Poel (1802 -1864)		"Woodman, spare that tree! Touch not a single bough! In youth it sheltered me, And I'll protect it now"

Jean-Jacques Rousseau Philosopher (1712 -1778)		"Should you see me at the point of death, carry me under the shade of an oak, and I promise you I shall recover"

John Muir Naturalist, Explorer, and Writer (1838-1914)		"Any fool can destroy trees. They cannot defend themselves or run away. And few destroyers of trees ever plant any; nor can planting avail much toward restoring our grand aboriginal giants. It took more than three thousand years to make some of the oldest of the Sequoias, trees that are still standing in perfect strength and beauty, waving and singing in the mighty forests of the Sierra."

Hermann Hesse		"Wer mit alten B�umen zu sprechen, ihnen zuzuh�ren wei�, der erf�hrt die Wahrheit." - "He who knows how to speak with and listen to ancient trees shall learn the truth."

Andrew Marvell		"The gods, who mortal beauty chase, Still in a tree did end their race."

Thomas Gray to Horace Walpole in 1737		"...both hill and vale is covered over with the most venerable beeches, and other very reverend vegetables, that like most other ancient people, are always dreaming out their old stories to the wind."

A journalist writing about Epping Forest Hornbeams -		'short, shabby, scrubby undescribably mean and ugly they were, something like warty railway sleepers with a shock head of twigs.'

William Sawrey Gilpin (1762-1843)		"What is more beautiful? than an old tree with a hollow trunk? or with a dead arm, a drooping bough, or a decaying branch?" William Sawrey Gilpin was a famous landscape designer in the period after Brown and Repton, and wrote "Practical Hints for Landscape Gardening" in 1832. Sent in by Keith Alexander.

Andrew White. 1633. Voyage to Maryland (Relatio Itineris in Marilandiam)		"After eight or nine days of generous treatment we set sail on the third of March and, having travelled into Chesapeake Bay, we turned our course to the north, in order to reach the Potomac River. Chesapeake Bay flows gently between the shores; it is ten leagues wide, four, five, six and seven fathoms deep, and teeming with fish, when it is the right time of the year. you will hardly find a more pleasant, evenly flowing river. Nonetheless, it yields to the Potomac River, which we named after St. Gregory. Since we had already reached the desired region, we distributed names according to the circumstances. And in fact we dedicated the promontory, which is located towards the south, to the honor of St. Gregory, the northen one to St. Michael, naming it so in honor of all the angels of Maryland. I have never seen a greater and more delightful river; compared to it the Thames seems a mere rivulet. It is not tainted by swamps, but on both sides wonderful forests of fine trees rise up on solid ground, not made inaccessible by thornhedges and underbrush, but just as if planted spaciously by hand so that one could easily drive a chariot drawn by four horses between the trees".



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