The history of the human race would have been very different without trees, and the wood that they supply—no homes, no boats, no handles for our first tools such as axes or weapons such as spears, and those first fires wouldn’t have been very long-lasting without their timber fuel!

And, of course, trees supply so much of the oxygen in the atmosphere that we and all creatures need to live, taking in carbon dioxide in the process and converting it into their food.

Yet, in many parts of the world, the huge forests that act as part of this world’s lungs are being destroyed at an alarming rate—both to take the timber and to clear the land for us to farm.
The habitats of so many other species, including Indigenous people, are being wiped out.

A single tree can support so many other species!

Although some beech trees can look less than happy with their own place in nature!

There is nothing quite like walking under a canopy of trees in a forest or wood, with the cooling dappled shade on a sunny day, the birds singing, and insects buzzing.
Woods and forests can be especially colourful in spring, with the fresh green leaves, and bluebells, snowdrops, wild garlic, and daffodils carpeting the floor.

There is something so calming and healing to the soul when getting back to nature and being among trees.
I walk through some woods almost every morning, in all weathers, and I always find joy in being among them, even in the depths of winter!

And trees bring so much beauty to the world with their own flowers!

Do you have a favourite type of tree, either wild or cultivated?
Do you have local forests or woods that you go walking in?

Today, let’s celebrate all of the beauty and majesty of trees of all kinds!