Trees have long been seen as symbols of life, wisdom, and connection. From ancient myths to modern spiritual practices, they are revered as sacred beings, living bridges between the earth and sky that hold profound meanings. Just think of their roots, reaching deep into the soil, grounding them firmly in the earth, while their branches stretch skyward, capturing sunlight and offering shade, fruit, and shelter. They are nature’s temples — places of quiet strength and wisdom that have seen centuries pass.
Across cultures, trees are often honoured as ancestors or sacred symbols. In Celtic tradition, the oak was revered as the king of the forest, embodying strength and resilience, while the ash tree was thought to connect the physical and spiritual worlds. In Norse mythology, the World Tree, Yggdrasil, was seen as the cosmic axis that held all realms of existence together. Similarly, in Buddhism, it was under the Bodhi tree that the Buddha achieved enlightenment, and the tree became a symbol of spiritual awakening and understanding. For the Indigenous peoples of North America, trees like the cedar and birch have held sacred roles for generations, seen as guardians, healers, and even teachers in the cycles of life and rebirth. The tree of life is a powerful symbol of the interconnectedness, growth and unity of all things.
At a deeper level, trees teach us about interdependence and patience. They grow slowly, often taking decades or centuries to reach their full stature, a reminder of the slow rhythms of nature that differ so greatly from the rush of modern life. Through the intricate web of their roots, trees communicate with one another, sharing nutrients, warning each other of danger, and caring for weaker neighbours. This “wood wide web,” as scientists call it, is a powerful metaphor for connection and community, a reminder of the interconnectedness of all life forms.
Trees have families, friends, and something akin to a brain. They look after one another, sending nutrients and messages via the vast fungal network in the soil to their offspring, as well as other trees in need. They look after the old and the sick, and even keep old stumps alive by sending nutrients their way. They act as a community, with mother trees passing down knowledge to younger trees such as defence mechanisms against pathogens. The forest acts like a nurturing community doing everything they can to help each other thrive rather than competing with each other in a survival of the fittest manner.
Trees and plants also have memories and learn from their mistakes, never making the same mistake twice, for instance dropping their leaves too late and getting frostbite. Trees feel pain in the form of electrical signals down their bark, which is how they learn to avoid harm (such as forming defences against woodpeckers). When in dangers they send chemical signals into the wood wide web to warn other trees.
Trees make decisions, such as where to put down more roots (to the west where there are more nutrients, or to the east where there is more water?). Trees are an intelligent society, and their generosity is fundamental to life on earth.
In many spiritual practices, trees are seen as sacred because they give without taking. They provide oxygen, purify water, stabilize soil, and offer habitats for countless species, all while standing rooted in place. They recycle nutrients into the soil so new things to grow, and most importantly they sequester carbon from the atmosphere, saving us from extinction.
Spending time with trees can be profoundly healing. In Japan, the practice of shinrin-yoku or “forest bathing” invites people to simply be in the presence of trees, absorbing the natural world through all the senses. Research shows that even just a short time spent among trees can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and boost mood, as if the trees themselves are sharing their calm strength with us.
Beyond their physical gifts, trees also serve as reminders of our place in the larger cycle of life. They show us that life and death are not opposites but part of a natural rhythm. In the autumn, trees release their leaves in a cycle of letting go, only to be reborn in the spring. This seasonal rhythm mirrors the cycles of our own lives — of growth, change, release, and renewal. In a world that often feels disconnected from nature, trees invite us to reconnect with the sacredness of life itself.
By sitting quietly beneath a tree, feeling the rough texture of its bark, or listening to the rustling of its leaves, we are reminded of a slower, deeper world of stillness and strength. Trees remind us that we are not separate from nature but deeply embedded within it, and by honouring them, we honour our connection to the earth and to each other. Ultimately, trees are not only symbols of resilience and growth but also guardians of wisdom, silently teaching us to live with presence, patience, and reverence.
Yet we fell around 15 billion trees a year, mindlessly throwing away our forests as if they were worth little more than timber. Since the dawn of humanity we have cut down around half the trees on earth, so now 40% of all the worlds land is degraded. Trees are quite possibly the most underrated living beings on our planet. They are sacred beings, rooted in the earth yet always reaching toward the sky, Perhaps, in their presence, we too can learn to feel more grounded and connected to the wonder of nature, which in turn can lead to a more sustainable society, one that is deeply reverent of forests and the web of life, so that what we take, we give back to the Earth.
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