Tree Huggers Unite: May 16 Is National LOVE A Tree Day
Not that I want to be a god or a hero. Just to change into a tree, grow for ages, not hurt anyone. (Czesław Miłosz)
A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people. (Franklin D. Roosevelt)
Look at the trees, look at the birds, look at the clouds, look at the stars… and if you have eyes you will be able to see that the whole existence is joyful. Everything is simply happy. Trees are happy for no reason; they are not going to become prime ministers or presidents and they are not going to become rich and they will never have any bank balance. Look at the flowers — for no reason. It is simply unbelievable how happy flowers are. (Osho)
Fast! Run out today, May 16, and hug your nearest tree! Today is National Love a Tree Day — on this day, trees are celebrated and recognized for their multitude of wonderful gifts. National Love a Tree Day is a relative of Arbor Day, and sits in the middle of Garden for Wildlife Month. Use #LoveATreeDay to post on social media, and discover Five Awesome Ways to Celebrate Love a Tree Day.
As caretakers of this beautiful sphere, it remains our utmost responsibility to honor, safeguard, and protect these living entities. Upwards of 5,000 years old, they’ve borne witness to the rise and fall of entire civilizations. R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Plant a tree…Recycle…Go paperless… Follow those conservation groups diligently working to protect these lovely, ancient living citadels. Or just show them some love and respect, and give them a nice big pat or hugggggg.
In honor of LOVE A TREE DAY, check out this brief Nat Geo clip of a most amazing man, Payeng — who single-handedly reforested his devastated wasteland of an island, which is now (thanks to him), home to thriving native wildlife. Awe-inspiring and endless gratitude can’t convey enough.
With as many horrific stories of needless and careless deforestation as there are today, such stories do exist… There are so many wonderful people and groups helping to sustain the planet’s flora ecosystems. Trees are not something we can live without as a species, after all.
Everyone loves trees!
FeyGirl
Serenity Spell 
The magnificent white pines are the reason we live where we do.
I’m thankful daily for them and all other amazing trees that shade us from the hot summer Sun. They all give great hugs.
Thank you for this wonderful post FeyGirl.
I do the same… Select my living space after the trees and land! I guarantee that they feel your gratitude every moment of every day. 🙂 Here’s to continuing to feel their hugs for years to come! Thanks so very much.
Happy New Year to you Fey Girl and wishing you all the best in 2017.
MANY THANKS! Much peace to you in the new year as well. 🙂
I did not know that there was a National Love A Tree Day but I am thankful for the two live oak trees in our yard that we have babied since they were tiny and are all grown up now now and take care of us. My father was a believer in trees and planted live oaks, planted their acorns in pots and gave them away. Thanks for sharing these beautiful photos. The trees around here are tiny (many mesquites!) compared to those. Cheers to trees!
Wow, what a wonderful thing your father did (and YOU, with your live oaks, some of my personal favorites)!! I think I may take up that practice… I planted a live oak (again, did I say I just adore them?) — but the concept of planting their acorns in pots and giving them away is just wonderfully brilliant. LOVE THAT! Thank you so much for sharing such a great gift.
Beautiful photos. Our front yard has a place where three trees have grown up into one. We are going to have our ashes buried there.
It’s a Three Sisters Tree! I’ve seen similar creations and they’re just wonderful… What a beautiful spot to be laid to rest — that’s our dream, as well. Back to the earth, to help / be with the trees!
I had no idea there was a love-a-tree-day, or I’ve forgotten. In any event, I’m quite convinced that every day should be love-a-tree-day. I’ve set myself the goal this year of learning more about our trees. I know the primary ones, of course — live oak, mesquite, red oak, sycamore — but there are many more I don’t know.
Knowledge and love go together, of course. The more we know about trees, the easier it is to love them, and the more we love them, the more satisfying it is to learn about them!
The day honestly escaped me as well! But thank goodness for all of my environmental ALERTS. 🙂 But you’re right — every day should be, needs to be, love-a-tree day. I’m trying to do the same as you, in learning some of the other trees I’m not familiar with. There are obviously… Many! With education comes a love and respect, and conservation, of these magnificent (and much needed) ecosystems.
I am off to hug one now, Fey Girl. And I have a suspicion that you are a wood nymph. Peggy and I have been privileged over the past two months, as we have retraced my bike route, to see most of America’s major environments and all of the different types of glorious trees they support. Thanks for reminding us. –Curt
Hahaha! I imagine you’re hugging ALL types of glorious trees along your amazing route! I’ve been tracking your magnificent journey… You put us to shame! Honestly. But — I am convinced that any tree greatly appreciates a little love from us little humans whenever we get the chance! 🙂
Happy you are traipsing along on the journey, FeyGirl. And you are right. Trees always seem to enjoy a hug. 🙂 -Curt
Love our trees!
🙂 Always, always, and forever!!
I’m a tree hugger!! lovely post Fey and sorry I am so late. My gmail notifications are way behind!
It’s never too late to be a tree hugger!!! 🙂 Thanks so much.
🙂
Sorry to stumble in so late – but I think all trees are grand: even the ficus trees whose roots displace great slabs of sidewalk, causing an unsuspecting Aubrey to trip and skin her knees more than once.
Not their fault! They were there first!
Hee hee!!! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve walked directly into one of those grand trees, for absolutely no other reason than that I’m persistently in my own world. 🙂 I always end up apologizing to them though — out loud, of course.
I love trees. They are lovable. And I think Osho is correct–trees live happily.
One of the joys of this life for me is that I get to spend it in the company of so many excellent trees. Thanks for the reminder.
That’s my main joy in life — to spend it in the company of these magnificent beings! Right now, I’m in an in-between apt, having moved from my little home… And my sweet guy purposely picked an older place…not so great on the amenities!…but surrounded by beautiful, old TREES! They’re like animals; I can’t not be around them. 🙂
I am an old tree hugger.Tees are filled with wonderful energy and love to share it with human beings. Thanks for sharing this. Hugs, Barbara
Such a wonderful way to say it! Trees have that wise, ancient, and gentle energy and love — that they share with us ALL. Hugs to you, fellow tree hugger! 🙂
Inspiring:-)
I watched the video and I have found a new mentor, AMAZING man! We all should be that giving and focused for a cause that others just don’t see….what a HERO…..
“Forests are the lungs of our land” beautiful:-) amazing photos and oh how we all need to pay attention before it all disappears:-)
“Trees are happy for no reason; they are not going to become prime ministers or presidents and they are not going to become rich and they will never have any bank balance. Look at the flowers — for no reason. It is simply unbelievable how happy flowers are” …
.this is the way I want to live the rest of my life…happy like the trees!!!!! thank you for
sharing:-)
I’m so glad you were able to stumble across the video – he truly is a HERO in more ways than I can count. The power and soul of trees is immense – if we as humans could simply be still long enough to learn from them, alas… 🙂