Why We Need To Plant Trees
Olive trees in the Garden of Gethsemane in Jerusalem. They are said to be the descendants of the trees that stood there when Jesus was arrested. (Photo: Gunther Simmermacher)
I have many fond childhood memories of lazing about on soft grass, sitting in the pleasant shade of an old backyard tree which at times also offered shelter from rain. The agreeable shade it offered on a scorching day always made me gaze up at this giant, magnificent wonder and whisper: “Thanks to God for those who planted these trees.”
The trees I gazed at weren’t ordinary trees. They were large, with strong and thick branches arching outward beautifully, forming a natural roof of sheltering leaves. The kind of trees that take anywhere from 30 to 50 years to reach maturity.
Trees in their majestic form provide an essential part of life for all living things. They provide shade, produce oxygen, shelter birds and other animals, and give many other blessings. But beyond meeting these physical needs, there is also the spiritual significance of trees, and it is deeply rooted in scripture.
Many trees in the Bible
Consider the prominence which trees have in God’s word. They are present at each important stage in the Bible. There is a tree on the first page of Genesis and on the last page of Revelation. In Genesis, God places the father and mother of humanity in a garden filled with trees; we know of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, from which humans were not to eat.
Almost every major biblical character is associated with a tree in one form or another. Jesus was hung on a tree (the cross). In Romans 11, the apostle Paul uses an olive tree to explain salvation and the people of God. Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus, so he climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him.
Every major character and every major theological event has a tree marking the spot. God thought in terms of generations, a much longer view, and made trees to last and be part of our lives and growth, and maybe also of those who came before and will come after us. As we enjoy the shade of the trees we have in our lives, we must also think of coming generations and plant trees for the benefit of others. Human lives are short, so it’s important to plant as many trees as we can while we are blessed to be alive. Our lives are indeed short, but not those of trees.
There are trees alive today that were planted hundreds of years ago. The world’s oldest tree, in California, is over 5000 years old; it was ancient when the pyramids were built. And some trees regenerate. It is believed that the olive trees in the Garden of Gethsemane, lovingly cared for by Franciscan friars, are descendants of the trees that witnessed Judas’ betrayal and Jesus’ arrest.
We can also apply the notion of “planting trees” figuratively: by doing selfless actions designed to benefit future generations. The author Nelson Henderson, adapting an old Greek proverb, once said: “The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit.”
For future generations
The whole point of living, and the most important thing of all, is to help others and leave the world a better place than we found it. We do not plant a tree for ourselves to enjoy, though we might do that too, but for the benefit of future generations. Today we are enjoying the shade of trees planted by many people, some long before we were born — our parents, grandparents and hundreds of nameless men, women and children. They planted trees — in the form of building schools and churches, starting charity organisations and community services which serve humans even today.
Let’s continue taking the initiative to change other people’s lives, to plant trees so that others can sit in the shade. And as they enjoy the shade, they may be planting the trees for others. We ought to ask ourselves: “What would the world look like if the first thing we thought about were our responsibilities as guardians, responsible for the coming generations?”
If we truly strive each day to leave the world better than we found it, we can do so by planting trees — literally or figuratively — in our communities, by helping the less fortunate. It makes a huge difference. Blessed are people who plant trees, knowing that they may never sit in the shade of their foliage.
Tlalane Manciya is an author, poet and blogger. Read more of her writings at www.tlalane.com
Published in the July 2023 issue of The Southern Cross magazine
- Why We Need To Plant Trees - September 14, 2023
