November 27 “Tree-t yourself to some fun”

November 27th begins National Tree Week in England. This week is the beginning of winter-planting season. It is the biggest tree celebration in England. I have a forest worth of tree books, and for the celebration of trees, I have several books that teach us to have fun with trees.

The first is “Play With Trees” by Millicent E. Selsam, published in 1950.

This is a first book for understanding trees for young kids. It discusses seeds, buds, flowers, bark, and general shapes of trees. The author then details how to start different seeds to plant them. The book helps identify trees as they grow. Then shows different collections one can make, like seeds, or tree bud tips of twigs (the different ways flowers bud on different trees-there are many).

Of course, one can collect tree leaves, and the author shows several ways. One can dry them in a book, do tracings (put vein side of leaf up, tracing paper on top, and use crayon for tracing. Or, stamp a leaf in ink and then press on paper. There are instructions for spatter painting leave shapes, and dipping in paraffin to keep rich fall colors. The book has many great illustrations to help inspire kids.

I also have a wonderful book on leaf collecting “The Leaf-Collector’s Handbook and Herbarium” by Charles S. Newhall, published 1891.

This book has 116 illustrations of different leaves/trees, and a corresponding blank page where one can mount their leaf specimens. This is 133 year old guide and album.

Then I have “Naturecraft Creatures” by Joseph W. Lippincott and G.J. Roberts, published 1933. Using twigs, bark, nuts, and pine cones, the authors show us how to make interesting toys and models. There are 134 pages full of illustrations and directions.

Perhaps one just likes paper art. I have “How to Draw: Tree Rhythm, in Pencil” by W.S. Hunter, 1952. The author give great detail on how to draw realistic trees.

I have Robert Frost’s “Complete Poetry and Plays” published by Library of America. There is a great poem “Birches” which is about a kid climbing a skinny but tall birch tree until it starts swaying from his weight. He then toss his legs out, just holding on with hands. The tree slowly bends over, and the boy lands like from a parachute. Usually the tree picked is about four inches or so thick. I did this a lot growing up, had a woods behind my house.

“…I’d like to go by climbing a birch tree,
And climb black branches up a snow-white trunk
Toward heaven, till the tree could bear no more,
But dipped its top and set me down again.
That would be good both going and coming back.
One could do worse than be a swinger of birches.” – Robert Frost

For a more adult fun with trees, perhaps one enjoys Tree Bathing (Shinrin-yoku). I have “TreeGirl, Intimate Encounters with Wild Nature” by Julianne Skai Arbor (also known as TreeGirl), published 2016.

This is a large, high quality, serious book on unusual trees from around the world. The catch is that the photographer used a remote control timer, and filmed herself nude, in each picture. The Author/Photographer explains the background and uses of each tree in the book. She is a certified arborist, a California naturalist, and teaches college level conservation education. This is truly a beautiful and unusual tree book.

November 27th is also Tie One On Day. This is always the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. It is to celebrate the apron, and thank those who wear it – preparing the next day’s Thanksgiving feast. It can also mean “Drinksgiving” as it is also one of the busiest drinking days of the year-rivaling St Patrick’s Day.

Why do trees make the worst frenemies?
Because they are the best at throwing shade.

Why did the pine tree get in trouble?
Because it was being knotty.

How do you properly identify a dogwood tree?
By the bark.

What did the beaver say to the tree?
It’s been nice gnawing you.

What is every tree’s least favorite month?
SepTIMMMBERRR!

Tree-t yourself to a fun…drink.