Idle Trees

Do you know about Idle Trees? (NOT the video game – real Idle Trees, in Nature.)

Before I introduce them to you I must give credit where it is due. It was my friend Mike who taught me about them only a month or two back, while exploring the woods near my house. We encountered a handful of very small hemlocks and a tiny spruce, all overshadowed by full-sized hemlocks and gray birches.

Until then I had mistaken them for young trees about to ascend, but Mike declared that they were much older than they looked, and not about to grow taller soon. They likely first sprouted from the soil after the woods were logged about 25 years ago! And here they bide their time until they get enough sunlight to grow to their intended height. In other words, they’re sticking around until the shorter-lived gray birches get out of their way.

How patiently they seem to stand waiting all these years. Once the right conditions arrive, these idle trees are prepared to grow to full stature very quickly. When they receive the right amount of sunlight, their roots quickly diverge and fortify to gather more goodness from the soil.

Now’s a good time to share that I fancy myself something of a Taoist. We Taoists believe that humans are not separate from, but rather a very important aspect OF Nature. Her patterns, rhythms, and cycles can teach us so much about ourselves.

If you’ll indulge my extrapolation:

Some humans are like Idle Trees. These young ones might look successful to others from the outside. It’s equally possible that they appear lacking. Make no mistake, though. Inside (even unconsciously) they are preparing; developing, evolving, and gathering strength and conviction. Until the dials ‘click’ into place and the essential outer condition (their ‘sunlight’) arrives!

But from the beginning, they have everything on the inside that they need. As do we all.

xo ~ Theresa 💜