Fallen Trees

 

For the Future

by Wendell Berry 

Planting trees early in spring,
we make a place for birds to sing
in time to come. How do we know?
They are singing here now.
There is no other guarantee
that singing will ever be.

From Collected Poems, 1957-1982. North Point Press, New York (1985). This poem first appeared in A Part (1980)

The recent storms ripped up thousands of trees across the country, including this one here in our village. I'm not sure what kind it is, but how sad to see it toppled and helpless. 

There was much coverage in the media about ancient trees being felled by storm-force winds, especially in the South. This morning's 'Today' programme on Radio 4 had an interesting, but rather sad item about this. (1hr 39 mins and 29 secs in if you would like to listen.) 

Storm Arwen, however, barely got a mention, in the media last December as it ripped through Northumberland, so I was shocked on a visit there just before Christmas to see the resulting devastation.

Radio 4' 'PM' programme celebrated 2020 as the Year of the Tree. Click here for its fascinating website about why trees matter and where we need them.

Like Wendell Berry, I am a dendrophile - one who loves trees (a word I learnt today), so I hope the one lost in our village can be replaced, perhaps as part of 'Plant a Tree for the Jubilee' and the Queen's Green Canopy. This reminds of 'Plant a Tree in '73', but now I'm showing my age!

Writing Prompts:

• Do you have a favourite tree? Write about it and why it is important to you. 
• Many trees are ancient and have seen much. What can trees teach us?
• Is it important, as the poet says, to 'make a place for birds to sing'?