You, friendly forest

For the Festival of the Trees 49, host Yvonne Osborne encourages us to muse upon our favorite tree. All month I’ve wondered how to pick a single favorite, and I finally decided to take a page from the books of VR Barkowski, and Tricia J. O’Brien, and simply share a selection of favorites.

These short haiku offer a small sliver of the many beloved trees from different places and times in my life. Because the list just keeps going, I’ve limited myself to 15 trees.

*     *     *

Sweet weeping Sorrow,

motherly watcher,

you, pseudotsuga.

*     *     *

Smooth trio of trunks

tandem of listeners

you, who know my name.

*     *     *

Island of escape,

shady corner grove,

you, the boundary.

*     *     *

Traveler’s jewel

draped over dream-pools

you, cherished respite.

*     *     *

Teacher of sacred

mountain whisperer

you, my rootedness.

*     *     *

Acer palmatum

tender reminder

you, lunch time rest stop.

*     *     *

Hall of hawthorn-blooms

pink-white promenade

you, daily-salute.

*     *     *

Forest of fresh starts

haven of misfits

you, lens of purpose.

*     *     *

Rhododendronesque

cousin, wet mangrove,

you, marine forest.

*     *     *

Sweeping butternut

fuzzy sentinel

you, gentle juglans.

*     *     *

Winter amber blush

grey-skinned hardwood beech

you, friend of rivers.

*     *     *

Garden gate greeter

fruit percussionist

you, patient guava.

*     *     *

Applauding the breeze

hearty pioneer,

you, breath of balsam.

*     *     *

Christmas cone surprise

always enduring

you, noble fir blue.

*     *     *

Midnight moon shadow

bowing in darkness

you, shaggy hemlock.

*     *     *

Monday, June 28th is the final day to submit for Festival 49. Let your favorite trees inspire you, and join us for the Festival!