Our Connection to Trees

Our connection to trees can be viewed as how similar we are, we stand upright, mobile limps stemming from our center, the pattern of branches reflecting the tubular branches in our lungs, also similar to the root system of many trees. Trees provide oxygen, food and other essential materials such as security, shelter, breeze, and a sense of peace.  

At a spiritual level, trees help us become more aware of our connections with something bigger than us. In mythology, trees are believed to be nature spirits or house them. Tree call us into a state of mindfulness, aiding us in becoming better in tune with and more compassionate toward our surroundings. Research shows us that spending time around trees help reduce stress, improve immunity, lower blood pressure and accelerate recovery from illness or trauma. 

They provide a great example of living in harmony and balance, rebirth and a connection to the earth and spirit. Trees stay rooted in one place their entire life, preserving their native character. That teaches us that being rooted is essential but also doesn't mean that we don't have to change or evolve. Those trees, even though they have been in one spot their whole life, they have grown, changed, evolved, sprouted new limbs, spread seeds and provided so much back to the world. 

Trees are sentient beings, ancient and full of wisdom. They have memories. They absorb our emotions when we voice them to their welcoming presence. They are able to hear us and listen, providing a sense of comfort and stability. This is where hugging trees comes in, this has studies to back just how impactful this can be for us. Everything is energy, energy flows through us, through all living things, including plants and trees. When you hug a tree you connect to it through its energetic vibrations, you release a hormone called oxytocin, known as the hormone of love, trust and warm feelings. Trees are living beings and same as hugging another human, they provide the same emotions. 

Another incredible thing about trees is the way they communicate with each other. They communicate through the air using pheromones and other scent signals. They can also communicate through the root system by way of fungus that form on the roots, sending a type of electrical signals. They are able to warn each other when there is danger and the trees alter their behavior. Amazingly, there are studies that show that some plants can also emit and detect sounds such as cracking noises in the roots that is at such a low frequency of hertz that we are unable to hear. 

Trees can also detect scents through their leaves. When an animal is chewing on the leaves of a tree, they send signals in the air through scents to the surrounding trees to warn them of the danger; also if there is an insect eating on the leaves, the tree can detect the insect saliva and release pheromones that attract parasitic wasps, therefore killing the insect. Incredibly, they can even detect animal saliva such as deer and are able to send defending chemicals to make the leaves taste bad. 

Saying all this just shows how intelligent and wise these ancient beings truly are. They reflect back to us in their ability to maintain and preserve themselves. One of the most significant things I have ever learned about trees and what they do for themselves, that stuck with me for many, many years; when a tree is injured, whether from a limb being broken off or cut off, the tree goes to work, sending all the sap in the tree to that area to heal and harden that wound, so it can't be hurt there again. If you have ever tried to chop or cut into a knot in a tree, you know they are very hard to get through, that is what the tree did to protect itself. That can be a beautiful example for us, when we are injured, we can put our energy into that wound to heal and protect it so that it is not injured in that same spot again.  

There are people that can be so connected and in tune with nature, that they are able to develop plant empathy. Plant empaths are people who have a deep connection and understanding of plants. They have the ability to sense and interpret the energy and emotions of plants. Just by working on ourselves, tuning in with our energy and spending time in nature, we are able to dive into a deeper connection, a deeper knowing with nature around us. 

Out of all the beauty in nature, trees are by far my favorite. They are wonderful teachers, companions, comforters, and healers, if we pay attention and take time to connect with them. Our connection to trees goes back to the beginning of time. We have the ability to connect and have relationships with the trees around us to help us in our journey to heal and grow.  

When you look at a tree, remember all the magic going on within the bark, under the ground in the roots, the branches, the leaves. Such amazing creatures all around. I hope you are able to spend some time with trees, hug one, talk with one, listen to one, see what they are showing us, feel what they are telling us, with all my love and light.