Alison Davies - Be More Tree: Life Lessons to Help You Grow into Yourself

Keep a green tree in your heart and perhaps a singing bird will come.

CHINESE PROVERB

Imagine: youve been here upon the earth since the dawn of time, a quiet presence, magnificent and majestic. You stand, you breathe, you bear witness. There can be no end to the things youve seen and the lessons learnt. In all this time, youve silently worked your magic, sustaining life, giving freely, blending in with the ebb and flow of the landscape. Without a doubt, this is a feat of extraordinary proportions, a supernatural wonder to match any modern-day mystic or fantasy icon. But then, the humble tree is the mightiest of gurus. No fanfare needed. No fancy accolades to sell this superstar. The tree does what it does, every minute, every hour, every day. It may go unnoticed, unappreciated, even, but the work does not stop. There is no end to the awesomeness of Tree.

Even more amazing, you dont have to do anything spectacular to win favour or experience the magic. Its there on your doorstep. Tree invites you to take a step closer. Stroll deep into the heart of a woody glade. Gaze up at the network of branches. Feel the whisper of bark against hungry palm and let the truth of the trunk imbue you with Zen. The ancients had it sussed. They spoke the language of the trees, believing that each one held a secret, an energy that could be tapped. And while some delivered more obvious gifts, from acorns to fruit and hardy pliable wood ripe for the carving, others were more subtle in their offerings.

You dont have to be a tree-hugger to be more tree (although those in the know recognize theres unlimited joy in a hearty squeeze). You dont have to be one of the many creatures that take refuge in its branches. Theres no mystical key or incantation that will unlock the power of this sentient being. The only thing you need to do is bow to the beautiful bough. Celebrate each brilliant branch and bask in the tremendousness that is tree. There, in that moment, you will find your roots.

Mother Nature is a smart lady. She put the trees in charge. Think army of leaf-clothed guardians, and youll get the merest sapling of a sense of what protection means. When the powers that be made the earth, trees must surely have been their finest work, for theirs is an ethos of care and share. Love unlimited from the ground up. Bound in each branch is an underlying urge to sustain and nurture, stretching to the very tips of the leaves, who for their part, act like supercharged lungs drawing in pollutants and coughing up clean air. An average tree takes in a tonne of carbon dioxide in its lifetime. It also produces around 120kg (260lb) of oxygen. When this tree joins together with his kin, a group of seven or more provide enough of the good stuff to last one human a year; a cluster feeds a family, a forest feeds a town.

These wonders of the wood are the caped crusaders of our time, with a range of climate-busting weapons at their twiggy fingertips. A leafy canopy is the perfect storm shield, allowing water to gently drip and ultimately evaporate before it hits the ground. Their roots are their superhero boots, anchoring them deep in the soil and reducing erosion, while the substantial bulk of the trunk screens noise pollution. Never ones to shy away from a fight, the timbre of their timber means theyll withstand and influence the fiercest wind speeds, reducing temperature and humidity at the same time. Not X-Men, but T-Men; its all about togetherness. They nurture by nature and while other angst-ridden heroes might suffer at the hands of their demons, trees stand tall in the knowledge that love really does conker all!

Gentle giants, they provide shelter and food for creatures great and small. Theres refuge in the open arms of their knobbly limbs, a chance for the tiniest of wing to catch its breath. Furtive furries seeking solace from the biting wind will find safe haven and a bed for the night. Whatever shape or form you take, theres always a nook or cranny to fit, and even a meal for most. Lets not forget that once upon a time humankind made trees their home and used them as a source of nourishment and warmth. Ever hospitable, our leafy hosts keep an open-branch policy and in doing so make a valuable contribution to the ecosystem. This surely makes them the ultimate good Samaritan; not just brawn and brains but a beautiful heart that beats beneath the bark.

SPOTTERS GUIDE

Sycamore

Scientific nameAcer pseudoplatanus

FamilySapindaceae

Where to grow Native to central, southern and eastern Europe and western Asia, the Sycamore is widespread, mostly because the seed is extremely fertile. Preferring moist, well-drained soil, this tree loves a sunny spot to thrive. Planted in gardens and parks, its also a favourite along coastlines because it acts as a wind break.

Appearance The elder of the wood, Sycamore trees can live up to 400 years and grow to a height of 35m (115ft). Pink-grey bark is smooth in young saplings, but cracks with age. The leaves have five lobes and measure between 7 and 16cm (26in). The distinctive papery winged fruits, often called keys, are known as samaras.

Fact and folklore The wood from this tree is a popular choice for carving, being pale, strong and with a fine grain. In parts of Wales it is used to make love spoons; more than just kitchenware, these delicately carved spoons are a personal declaration of love and are traditionally given to your sweetheart on St Valentines Day and to mark special occasions.

Find your roots

Dig deep and find your balance like a tree. These woody sentinels take resilience to the next level and you can do the same with this simple exercise.

Step One

If possible, find a spot outside where you wont be disturbed. This could be in your garden or local park.

Step Two

Stand barefoot on the grass. Feel the cool sensation of each blade as it brushes against your skin.

Step Three

Breathe deeply, roll your shoulders back and lengthen your spine.

Step Four

Turn your attention to the soles of each foot. Notice how they sink into the grass and how the earth supports you.

Step Five

Imagine tiny roots bursting from each sole and stretching deep beneath the surface of the soil. Feel them stretching in every direction, anchoring you to the earth.

Step Six

As you inhale, imagine drawing strength up through those roots and into your body. Feel this energy fill and expand your chest.

Step Seven

Continue to breathe deeply and enjoy the sensation of being fully supported and grounded. It doesnt matter what life throws at you, or how hard those storms hit, you are anchored to the earth.

BE MORE TREE

When life gets tough and you feel vulnerable, bring to mind your tree stance. Whether youre at the office, mid-commute or on a night out, just breathe deeply and visualize roots growing from each foot. Picture them holding you in place as you go about your business. You should feel instantly more secure and confident.

Get twiggy with it

You might not be able to face off a storm, change wind speed or filter the air, but that doesnt mean youre powerless in the face of adversity. Count your blessings and your twigs, and youll soon be top of the tree!

What to do