The first of many trees that I planted was a thornless honey locust, and I envisioned the day when its shade would assist in cooling the house in the summer. I put it in a place at the corner where the wind from the canyon to the east blew the hardest. I dug a hole, put in the bare root, put soil around it, poured on water, and largely forgot it. It was only a wisp of a tree, perhaps three-quarters of an inch in diameter. It was so supple that I could bend it with ease in any direction. I paid little attention to it as the years passed.
Then one winter day when the tree was barren of leaves, I chanced to look out the window at it. I noted that it was leaning to the west, misshapen and out of balance. I could scarcely believe it. I went out and braced myself against it as if to push it upright. But the trunk was now nearly a foot in diameter. My strength was as nothing against it. I took from my toolshed a block and tackle, attaching one end to the tree and the other to a well-set post. I pulled the rope. The pulleys moved just a little, and the trunk of the tree trembled slightly. But that was all. It seemed to say to me, “You can't straighten me. It's too late. I've grown this way because of your neglect, and I will not bend.”
When the tree was first planted, a piece of string would have held it against the forces of the wind. I could have and should have supplied that string with ever so little effort, but I did not. And it bent to the forces that came against it.
Children are like trees. When they are young, their lives can be shaped and directed, usually with ever so little effort. Said the writer of Proverbs, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Prov. 22:6). 1
So we see a simple and meaningful story learned by a great man from a tree. We need to teach our children the truths of the gospel when they are young and impressionable. A great way to teach them is by planting a tree. Helping trees to grow and just watching trees grow over the years can allow for many teaching opportunities. Plant a tree to commemorate events.
photocredit: Lucas Proctor
Trees are very enlightening. They can teach us about the gospel. They can teach us about the world around us. Trees are a very poignant symbol in most cultures. In the beginning of the Bible, one of the very first symbols was a tree and its fruit. In the Book of Mormon we start out with Lehi's dream of the tree of life, which represents the Savior, himself. Everyone can learn something from a tree, and the Lord frequently uses trees to teach us important things symbolically.
Trees are not only educational, but they can benefit our environment. The USDA says, “"The net cooling effect of a young, healthy tree is equivalent to ten room-size air conditioners operating 20 hours a day." They also said, "One acre of forest absorbs six tons of carbon dioxide and puts out four tons of oxygen. This is enough to meet the annual needs of 18 people."
Trees truly have so many benefits, but your next question may be, “What tree is right for me?” That is a fabulous question.
First thing to consider in planting a tree is, will this tree grow in my climate? The USDA has a Cold Hardiness Zone Map that shows by number the average cold winter temperature. The smaller the number, the colder the winter temperatures.
Next: How big will this tree get ? Will it fit where I want to plant it? The number one problem landscapes have is overgrown plants or plants too close to the house or a fence or a power line. What is the sun exposure where I am planting it? What is the drainage in the soil? These are all things to consider for your specific location.
Last: This one is more of personal preference, Do I want a shade tree, flowering tree, evergreen (conifer)? This is up to you and up to the size you have to plant it. Will you buy it in a container, bare root, balled in burlap, or online, or by catalog?
My last suggestion is the most important. Please, if you have children, help them or let them plant the tree. When your child is older they can say, “I planted that and look how big it is now.” It helps them feel like they have made a difference in the world.
If you don't have a yard, then go and get a bonsai tree for indoors. If you don't think you can take care of a bonsai tree, you can go to the Arbor Day Foundation website and they will plant trees in forests of need with your donation of $10. Either way you should check out their website and find out what Arbor Day is all about. Plant a tree and make a difference. Plant a tree and celebrate Arbor Day. Happy planting!
If you have a favorite tree/plant analogy or gospel story I would love to hear it. Try to make your own and send it my way.
I just recently finished planting over 700 trees of my own and won't stop there…
1 Gordon B. Hinckley, “Four Simple Things to Help Our Families and Our Nations,” Ensign, Sep 1996.
