As Judi Dench said in a recent advert for a BBC show, “My life is all about trees. Trees and champagne.” My friend posted that to FB with a comment about life goals. I agree.
The trees around Gainesville have been a revelation. I wasn’t thinking “trees” when I was thinking “Florida” before my arrival, but now… Yes, it is time for a meditation on trees.
This is the biggest tree in Florida. Look closely at the lower left. People have propped up a long branch with a series of wood supports, willing the tree to keep growing even as it sags (ever so gracefully) to the ground.
This is just one tree, one pine amid a forest of them. Look up, it’s a beautiful crown, full of greens and blues and light on this winter day.
The tree in the image below is hard to spot at first among all the others, so start by tracing the thickest trunk up from the ground and see its branches spreading out and away. Most of the branches in this image belong to that one tree. (And, yes, the spanish moss is a lovely touch.)
Trees. If you see Judi Dench, tell her thanks from me for the new life goals. (And champagne.)
It is not so much for its beauty that the forest makes a claim upon men’s hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air that emanation from old trees, that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit.
Robert Louis Stevenson
Thanks for responding, Jeanne, and happy you enjoyed the trees. I will keep an eye out for that book, as I do love details of trees so much!
Ah, thank you so much, Gail, that comment means so much to me.
You find beauty is so many things. Thanks for making me aware
Really lovely, Annie. Both are beautiful and, no, I don’t think of trees and Florida either! Art went to school in Gainesville.
If you get a chance look up the book Seeing Trees. You’ll appreciate both their beauty and the technique.
They are closeups of trees’ blossoms, of which we are largely unaware.
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