During National Tree Week in November, we asked Grow Wilders across the country to share their stories, memories, and personal connections to the trees around us. The response was a wonderful, moving reminder of the profound role trees play in the rhythm of our lives.
We’ve picked some of the most resonant stories to share with you here.
Lisa
My tree
I was a little girl in the 1970’s and we lived next to a farm. In front of my house was a large field and right in the middle was this huge grand tree. At the time, there was a song playing on the radio and TV called ‘Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree’ by Tony Orlando and Dawn. I really thought it was that tree they were singing about. I am now 55 and every time I have heard that song played, I think about my beautiful tree.
The farm was sold many years ago and the land was turned into a housing estate. Before the land was destroyed I took pictures of the fields, especially my tree, and I still have them to this day. My beautiful tree, forgotten by many people but not by me.
Avril, Worcester
I suffer with depression at times, and I find being amongst trees, woods and forests a pure help to me. I take photos of bark, interesting tree shapes, roots, and love experimenting with light through trees too.
My favourite are roots. Reason: I look at the root structure all entwined. When I find it hard to make a decision or get up in the morning, and feel unsure what to do with myself, I look at the roots, and pick one. I follow it with my finger and look at all the obstacles I’ve got to get past, or if it doesn’t work out, I accept it’s OK to change path, as long as I get to the end (starting from the trunk). It helps me visualise the real-life situation of that day or moment, and my mind and confidence reset into positivity.
Barry
The tree I will always remember
The elm tree is one I will always think about.
In the years of my youth I played a lot of darts. The pub I played in always used elm boards and had several always soaking in water tanks.
When I moved to Somerset I had and still have the odd one sprouting in my hedges but once they get to a certain size they start to die. I always hoped one day they would overcome and flourish.
Christine, Staffordshire
My story is from small to adult.
As a young child, my father was ill with depression. Our family suffered with him. But I saw him relax when we walked in the local woods with our dog. He taught me to enjoy everything. Leaves, ferns, even the fallen trees, how they created homes for wildlife.
We didn’t really talk about how he felt. We would sit out in the sun, and he would point at things and tell me what it was and how it helped the next thing to it.
As dad grew old, we didn’t walk as much, but he would sit in the garden and watch the birds and the plants.
Some years later at a young age I lost my partner and again I started to walk in nature: walked the woods where my dad and me walked. I told him about everything that I saw and it made him happy.
Time passed and so did my dad; in my sadness again a walked in woods. I felt relaxed and energised.
I moved to a small village when my mum passed. I was in my thirties, had my two dogs and my mum’s, and little money, so it was a small end terraced house which was run down. I had looked at others but never felt right. My little house has no garden, but next to it is a nature reserve and next to that a small wood.
I was saved again. This wood brings me happiness and joy. My dogs passed and their ashes and others of my dog family are now scattered throughout the woods.
There is an oak tree which I feel connected to every time I walk past. I always touch it and say you look big and strong, love to you. Maybe it reminds me of my childhood. My dad, big, strong and also so fragile, he withstood all the stress and pain in silence. Just like this tree standing strong and tall.
Anne
Trees and what they mean to me
I am 87 years old, my name is Anne, I was brought up in a back-to-back house in a cobbled street, no plants or trees anywhere.
I had to go to school aged three because of the 2nd World War, which meant walking with my two older brothers through Lund Park, which seemed like entering Paradise to my young mind.
I have always loved trees, and they have loved me back. Last year, when I lost three of my closest friends and my cousin in a very short space of time, I had to go to Northcliffe Woods nearby to find solace and healing for my wounded heart. If there is re-incarnation, I want to come back as a tree.
Catherine
My favourite tree is
This is my favourite tree in Haywood Oaks, Blidworth and I tell everyone! It is a beautiful ancient oak.
My friend was taking my young grandson (who doesn’t know this area) to the theatre in her car and happened to drive past my tree. He had been very quiet on the journey up until this point but informed everyone in the car that this was his grandma’s tree!
Chris
Feeding the elephants!
I live in a housing estate in Hertfordshire, and when my daughter Lucy was small the primary school urged its pupils to 'Plant a tree in 73'.
On the path to school she found a conker and a sycamore key, and these now form the main features of a wildlife garden surrounded by bird-friendly seedbearing plants such as elder, holly and pyracantha. The shaded area now has bluebells and miniature daffodils, while an unshaded area provides a small wild flower meadow with a good display of primroses and buttercups last summer - and hopefully will include poppies, violets and cowslips next year.
The horse chestnut provides masses of flowers in the spring, supports several bird feeders, and I can sit under it and relax in the shade. The sycamore grew even bigger, and the ivy growing up it provided a nest site for the robins this year. Last summer it was cut back and the leafy branches were fed to the elephants at Whipsanade Zoo.
More about trees from the Grow Wild blog
