How Will You Celebrate National Love a Tree Day?

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"Earth provides enough for every man's need, but not for every man's greed." ~Mahatma Gandhi

Did you know that Wednesday, May 16 is National Love a Tree Day? You’ve probably seen or even bought a bumper sticker that reads “Hug a tree.”

Seems silly and simple.

Yet there’s scientific proof of the emotional and physical benefits of being a tree hugger. Research shows that it’s the tree’s vibrational properties that heal those closest to them. Trees also talk if we are listening. Matthew Silverstone better explains the details in Blinded by Science. 

Japan enjoys over 62 "forest therapy" sites; the government takes being with and hugging trees very seriously.

Trees can even talk with one another and share information underground!

Consider the work of Dr. Bernie Krause, creator of Wild Sanctuary, who’s studied the soundscapes of many living organisms including plants and trees. He’s recorded these sounds and shares them in places like the American Museum of Natural History-Smithsonian and the Houston Museum of Natural Science.

Seems the original "tree huggers" date back to 1730 when hundreds of Hindu men and women were slaughtered while clinging to trees to protest their village's deforestation. A maharaja wanted the land cleared to build his palace. This intense love of trees later became a movement called tree satyagraha; it was this passion that causes India's government to better manage their natural resources.

Even in my Florida backyard, some tree-loving unfolded. 

Can you imagine the 1920's scene in Dunedin, Florida when several women climbed into the arms of a giant, 150-year old live oak tree? They perched themselves on one large branch to prevent the tree's trip to the sawmill. (The city sought the tree's lumber to support its building boom.) 

Even then, greed sought to trump Mother Gaia, but not this time.

Members of the Dunedin Women's Club thought differently.
It’s no surprise to learn that the women in this charming town, founded by two Scotsmen, would honor their Celtic, ancestral roots and love of the Sacred Oak. 

Brava, ladies! You are Mother Earth's sHeroes!

Happy update: 
The 150+-year-old Florida live oak tree still lives!

Why blog about National Love a Tree Day?

As an author, I use tons of paper. I love the sensory feeling of hearing my pen move across the page. Maybe you do, too. I also now realize as a consumer, I use many paper products--tissues, napkins, paper towels, post its, and toilet paper.

It's time to now rethink my use of paper--a gift or unwilling gift--of the trees.

Perhaps I can find paper and journals made from trees that died naturally and weren’t harvested for the sawmill.

Perhaps I can find ways to use less paper.

Perhaps I can love and hug a tree today, tomorrow, and every day.

And you?

Blessed to feel the energy of this 500-year-old oak tree in Safety Harbor, FL near my home in St. Petersburg. Can you?

Free Paperless Resource Gifts for You. 
(No trees were harmed in their production.)

If you'd like to use or share memes like this with author quotes and creative writing prompts, please enjoy! Each one is brilliantly designed by my writing sister Michele True. (She's also my business partner with Eat, Pray, Write: Where Exploration & Expansion Intersect.) 

You can find more inspiration like this every day on our Facebook page.