Trees, trees, trees.

I just love trees!! The spring weather is in the air which means the tree buds and leaves are starting to peek out with new color. I took some pictures the other day of the pretty blossoms on these certain trees. I am not sure what kind of tree…our best idea was some sort of crabapple? None the less, they are beautiful!

Can you see the little hairs coming off the blossom? Almost reminds me of raspberries on a tree. 🙂 Have you ever read Shel Silverstein’s book, The Giving Tree? I think it is a neat story about giving of yourself to show love to others. I remember first reading that book in elementary school and crying at the end. (If you have not noticed by now–I am a very emotional person. 🙂 )

Silverstein’s book made me think…what do I like most about trees or need most from trees? To answer the first part of the question, I like the shade trees give on a sunny day; watching birds; standing near the trunk of the tree and looking upwards into the sky–the tree branches mingled with each other creating an artistic abstract of dark solid features against the sky; and their radiance when the sun shines on the leaves or seeing the treetops sway from the wind, yet their base is standing still. I think the obvious needs are oxygen and products I use every day, such as paper or sitting on wooden chairs at my wooden table. My need for the trees is small compared to animals like birds, squirrels, and bears to name a few (or in other places: monkeys, snakes, and jaguars 🙂 ) Interesting to think about from a different perspective.

I also like C.S. Lewis’ and J.R.R Tolkien’s view of trees. In both Narnia and the Lord of the Rings, trees are used as a living expression. In Narnia, the trees dance, send messages to each other and some spy for the White Witch. In Lord of the Rings, the “Ents” help destroy Isengard. I often wonder if these two scholars had any verses from the Bible in mind when they were creating the trees for their novels. Isaiah 55:12 says, “…all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” Neat! 🙂

I am still uncertain of how this verse came to my attention, but it is what I based this painting upon:

But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit. ~Jeremiah 17:7-8