One of my most beloved parts of Nature is the tree. I'm not only fascinated with a tree's above-ground beauty, but by its underground root network. The above photo best illustrates a fruit tree, blossoms and all.
Note that the taproot grows downward. Lateral roots are secondary roots that branch out from that main taproot. Roots spread out and anchor the tree firmly in the soil, preventing it from falling over. Trees with deep roots can withstand strong winds and unstable soil conditions. The root hairs allow trees to access water even in dry soil. The dense network of roots helps bind the soil together, preventing soil erosion caused by wind and rain.
TREES SYMBOLIZE......
- Life, growth and fruitfulness, reflecting our journey of physical and intellectual development.
- Strength, individuality and resilience. Trees represent our ability to withstand challenges and stay grounded in adversity.
- Good and Evil.......The Tree of Life, The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil in the Garden of Eden represent the choices we make and their consequences.
Sidebar: This brings me to this business of thinking about my personal unseen roots that have anchored me during times that a tree would call "high damaging winds." We all go through troubling times that we certainly would never ask for. Yet, we face these times, get through them and get on with living. This is how we acquire our strength, our identity and our spunk.
The root that encounters challenges on a regular basis gets thicker and stronger. Look how the mighty oak is a common symbol for human strength and stability. We learn from the mighty oak to stand tall through the storms of life. And, there are all kinds of storms----thunderstorms, gale winds, tropical storms, tornadoes, hurricanes and derecho storms, blizzards, ice storms, hail storms, dust storms and more. Each storm has varying levels of intensity. It's beneficial to take a second and think of ALL the storms we have endured since the day we were born. Just imagine. Just imagine how strong we must be, how well-anchored, how deeply rooted we are to still be standing.
The strength of every tree lies in its hidden root system, not in its branches. Trees are deeply rooted pillars of strength. A tree is so strong that man needs a bulldozer to uproot it. That, to me, is the perfect metaphor for us.
Isn't it interesting how we all wait for autumn when the green leaves transition into crowns of brilliant oranges, yellows and crimsons........yet, we never stop to think how these same trees play a key role in capturing rainwater and reducing the risk of natural disasters like floods and landslides. Trees are silent warriors...powerful defenders of the environment.
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| Lung Bronchi |
A tree is our most intimate contact with Nature.