I love seeing trees in the wild, with grass and weeds tickling their ankles. Imagining their roots spread wide and deep, and worms and moles underground doing their jobs as the tree stands tall and protects them all. Reminiscent of my childhood in English country gardens…sounds idyllic but in reality it’s not always like that. Recently when my kids were playing under a tree, a dog came along and watered their fairy garden. Hmm.
I also love seeing squares or circles (or indeed any other geometric shape) in parks or urban environments surrounding a tree so purposefully. Again, I picture the ideals seen in a coffee table book, but most often the reality is ruined by litter or messy mushy squashed berries.
Of course I’d rather see the tree free, but it’s better than seeing no tree and just a flat grey pavement. Who gets pleasure seeing a flat grey pavement? (Maybe skateboarders on a mission…another post perhaps).
As a child whenever I drew a picture, out came the 30cm ruler and on went a border. Around pictures of houses, farms, space. Border around pictures of trees in fact. I wanted to protect the image, ‘keep the baddies out’. That’s what I actually thought. I used to underline titles with not just one line, or a double line, but four. Yes four! Usually in the order red, yellow, green, blue. Rules. Can’t mess with them. Or so I thought!
Here’s a photo of a poem book I made in the 80’s…
The shapes around the trees are doing the same job as my borders. Defining the boundaries, protection of territory, providing clarity of the rules of engagement. It’s not really them and us. Trees versus people. It’s you and me. Trees and people. Together. Collaboration. Respect.
As I was out running today, I went past an area of the river bank that had been cordoned off. The sign was perfect. Council did good for once!
Let’s work together. I love you trees.
Stripes and trees xxx
Stripes & Trees 