White Pine Wonder by Sara Wright

Yesterday was mild (mid 40’s in January) so Coalie and I went to our favorite forest to walk. The roads were icy, but the seeps were brimming and ringed with footprints. Over one of my favorites (because declining wood frogs still lay eggs there in the spring), an elderberry bush arced over rippling water like some sort of plant protectoress.

Seeps fascinate me because they defy freezing weather bubbling up through deep in the earth. Water seeps in the forest are small wetland areas where groundwater naturally emerges at the surface, often at the bases of slopes. They create moist spots with lush plants in season (like elderberries) and serve as important habitats for wildlife by providing clean water sources all year-round. They form from underground layers of rock that force water to flow horizontally until it surfaces. Seeps care for their animal and bird neighbors by providing clear waters at any time of year. There were so many fox and partridge tracks leading to and from these pools that I was surprised we didn’t startle one of the latter. (At home I have a pair that are feasting on the last of the crabapple berries). A couple of chickadees were chirping from nearby maples probably annoyed because we were taking our time. Coalie was nosing every blade of grass in the area.

As we wandered on, I was struck by the brilliance of the tree lichens. Some like the shield lichen were a bright sage green. On a mild day like this one tree lichens are photosynthesizing as are some of the thin-skinned tree trunks that make up a mixed woodland.

Wheat colored grasses slipped through wet snow, some with seeds still attached. Birches were laying down seeds that resemble miniature bird prints to feed the hungry. I noticed both white and yellow birch seemed to be shredding their skins and knew that they rid themselves of insects by simply sloughing them off with their old skins!  Oh, how an intact forest takes care of ki’s own.

I stopped at one large white pine to gaze up into her swaying boughs thinking about what  author Richard Power’s noted in Overstory – that trees are always in motion even while standing still. Well, aspens do move across the countryside in some places like Pando does, but they are an exception.

I touched the rough bark that protects the white pine from internal damage that can occur with temperature extremes. Rubbing my hands over the nubbly wood, I couldn’t help thinking how much I would love to have this kind of protection from the insanity of my own culture. In some mythological stories women were trees before they were women, or women were turned into trees for protection. We share 50 percent of our DNA with trees as well as having a common ancestor that might add some credence to these stories for some.

I spoke with ki, expressing my admiration for the wonder of such large trees. Being part of a recovering forest is a joy to experience even if it lasts for a few minutes. I leaned against the tree estimating ki’s age praying for strength and a willingness to endure. The lower trunk of the tree along with the roots were covered with snow. I marvel knowing that every tree mimics the mythological story that all trees represent or symbolize the TREE of LIFE. A sacred tree is present in every culture but ours, unless you include the grim story of eve, the snake, and the apple that is clearly a Christian distortion.

Lichens have an intimate relationship with trees but on this white pine they were somewhat scarce although I knew that there were all kinds of creatures that were hiding in the rough natural fissures –  finding ‘home’ for the winter.

Coalie was sniffing small tracks at ki’s feet that I couldn’t identify. Thawing snow above ice makes identification difficult, but I don’t mind; I am just grateful woodland creatures abound, and we are there to see what they might be up to!

It was pure delight to hear river waters flowing and the clouded sun made it easier to identify some lichen particulars that sun -glare obliterates.

How is it possible that people cannot feel the miraculous life that is brimming in a forest like this one during the winter? All one needs is an open heart and mind; that, and a willingness to slow down, to listen.

The rare gift of Silence opens the door.

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