Time to Plant Trees

Words by Mark Sparrow

Imbolc

The start of February brings us, more or less, to the midway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. In the ancient Pagan calendar, it was marked by the festival of Imbolc, traditionally seen as the beginning of spring. The name Imbolc may derive from a Celtic word meaning ‘budding’ and the festival, as well as celebrating the returning of the light, is associated with spring sowing and the blooming of blackthorn.

Although we are still in the depths of winter with dark skies and torrential rain soaking the land, if you look carefully signs of spring are detectable: catkins – mahogany on the alder and buff on the hazel – are ready to burst with pollen; the first snow-drops and primroses are peeking through emerging green leaves and the blackthorn blossom is just a few days of sunshine from flowering.

As well as the first seeds of the year, Imbolc is also a perfect time to plant trees. Tree planting is increasingly being recognised as one of the best ways we can tackle the climate crisis but I think we need to do this with great care. It’s no good us seeing trees as yet another resource we can thoughtlessly use to suit our human ends. I fear the impact of herding millions of trees into enclosures of land and expecting them to thrive with no consideration of what they themselves need. This is factory farming of trees, little different from the way we currently treat chickens or cows. What species will they be - native to the area they are planted or imported? Will they be trees that flourish in the company of other trees or do they prefer to be solitary? What else will live there? What does the eco-system need? How will we prevent diseases from devastating the community of trees? What will be good for these woodlands and allow them to exist and grow for their own sakes?

If we are ever to bring about a lasting solution to the climate emergency then we need to think of the Earth less as a provider of resources for our use (and misuse) and more as a place of marvel, magnificence and mystery. The spirit of Imbolc invites us to make a fresh start, cultivate new intentions, seed new ways of thinking in order to create a restorative and sustainable future for ourselves and the rest of the Earth’s inhabitants. I think we can all make a start in changing the way we see the world now by beginning to nurture a more intimate relationship with the world around us.

“Why not go into the forest for a time, literally? Sometimes a tree tells you more than can be read in books...”

— Carl Jung, Letters Vol. 1

Is there a tree that you pass regularly which you could pay a little more attention to: in your garden, on the walk to work, in the park or on a regular dog walk? Choose one which you feel drawn to, or more adventurously, allow yourself to be chosen by the tree. Stand by the tree or sit down and lean against the trunk. Look into the canopy. Look at the bark. Think about the roots. Think about all the life the tree supports – birds, plants, insects, microbes. Return to your tree as often as you can – every day, every week, see how the tree changes as the seasons do: leaves budding, flowers blossoming, fruit forming, colours changing. Sense, if you can, the aliveness of the tree: can you imagine the life force flowing through it?

Can You Imagine – Mary Oliver

“Can You Imagine?
For example, what the trees do
not only in lightning storms
or the watery dark of a summer's night
or under the white nets of winter
but now, and now, and now - whenever
we're not looking. Surely you can't imagine
they don't dance, from the root up, wishing
to travel a little, not cramped so much as wanting
a better view, or more sun, or just as avidly
more shade - surely you can't imagine they just
stand there loving every
minute of it, the birds or the emptiness, the dark rings
of the years slowly and without a sound
thickening, and nothing different unless the wind,
and then only in its own mood, comes
to visit, surely you can't imagine
patience, and happiness, like that.”

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now”

— Chinese Proverb

Over the next few weeks, we will be doing a lot of planting on the farm – a new hedgerow and several new trees. The hedge will link a small stretch of woodland with the copse from which the farm takes its name. This hedge will be full of native species and will form a wildlife corridor going some way to reversing the habitat fragmentation which is such a contributor to species loss. But even one new tree planted (as long as it’s the right tree in the right place!) has benefits for people, wildlife and the environment. Is there anywhere you could plant a tree – in the garden, your local school or community space? If you can’t, why not change your default search engine to Ecosia – they use their advertising revenue to sponsor the planting of trees – 45 clicks equal one tree sponsored!

Wishing you all the budding joy of spring

Mark

Want to retreat to the beautiful organic farm and campsite that inspired this article?

Join Mark Sparrow, Tom Mettyear and Jasmine Pradhan for “Yoga in Nature: A retreat for mind and body”

July 3rd-5th 2020

Haddon Copse Farm

Reset, rejuvenate and re-energise your body, mind and soul at this stunning weekend retreat.

Designed for people who could do with a break immersed in nature, but don’t have the time to commit to a week-long trip to a far-flung destination During the weekend we’ll experience all of the following:

• breathe the freshest, cleanest air and allow the vastness of the sky to settle our nervous systems and unwind from our daily lives

• practice embodied, slow-flowing and restorative yoga twice daily in the Magic Circle grove of trees

• be lead on dreamy nature-based contemplations to evoke and stoke our hearts

• be nourished with plentiful fresh, delicious, organic, homegrown and home-cooked food

• Learn to work with natural essential oils to create a luxurious skincare product to keep

• Sit round open fires, witness beautiful sunsets, enjoy dark skies and bright stars

• Relax and camp out in our gorgeous and comfortable bell tents, with the rolling hills of the Blackmore Vale surrounding you and wake to the sound of bird song

• Identify wild herbs and flowers and learn about the natural principles of the land in a relaxed and inspiring way

…and much more!

Prices from £265. To find out more about the retreat - including how to book - please visit http://angelcottageorganics.co.uk/courses/yoga-in-nature/

Mark Sparrow is a trained counsellor, Ecopsychologist and passionate advocate of life in harmony in Nature. You can find out more about him and his practice over at https://www.marksparrowcounselling.co.uk/.

Mark also runs Angel Cottage Organics at the beautiful Haddon Copse Farm in Dorset with his partner Tom. Find out more about the farm, including a number of courses that make the most of the stunning natural landscape by going to www.angelcottageorganics.co.uk

Recently on Balance Garden