A Battler For Trees

Northern Advocate, 18 February 1939, Page 5 (Supplement)

A Battler For Trees

NATURE AND MAN

(Edited by Leo Fanning). Richard St. Barbe Baker, founder of the society which he named “The Men of the Trees,” has earned the world’s gratitude for his infectious fervour for trees. He is a delightful writer. Here are some passages of a splendid article which he wrote for “Landscape and Garden”:— “What a difference a few good trees make to a garden! If we cast our memories back to childhood days most* of us had a'favourite tree large enough to climb.

“In the classics, the first mythical garden or Paradise, records of which are found in the literature of nearly every nation, always contained a tree. The very conception of Paradise arose from the idea of a world tree, the tree varying according to the stage reached by the race who believed in it. ‘I hold,’ said Martin Luther, ‘that the whole world was named Paradise. Moses described it according to Adam’s sight so far as he could see; but it was f called Paradise by reason it was all over so sweet and pleasant.’ Mohammed’s Garden of Delight contained ‘trees branched over.’ Alexander Neckham, Abbot of Cirencester, 11571217, wrote: ‘A noble garden will give thee also medlars, quinces, peaches, pears, pomegranates, etc.’ Critobulus, in conversation with Socrates, as recorded in Xenophon, B.C. 450, said: T it was that contrived, measured, laid, cut the ground for planting these trees, and I can even show you some of them that I planted with my own hands.’ Lieutschen, a Chinese writer of the fourth century, says that the art of laying out gardens consists in an endeavour to combine cheerfulness of aspect, luxuriance of growth, shade, solitude and repose, in such a manner that the senses may be deluded by ah imitation of rural nature. “With Critobulus we snail all find a deep satisfaction in planting trees With our own hands. One recalls the lines of Christina Rossetti:—

‘I planted a young tree when I was young: But now the tree has grown and I am old: There wintry robin shelters from the cold And tunes his silver tongue.

A green and living tree I planted it, A glossy-foliaged tree of evergreen: All through the noontide heat it spread a screen Whereunder I might sit.

A faithful, pleasant friend, who year

by year Grew with my growth and strengthened with my strength.’

“In Poland, I have been told, the ambition of every householder and peasant is to have a little plot of land on which to grow trees—not flowers, but trees. Would that we, too, could cultivate this love and regard for trees, for we must admit with R.L.S, that trees are ‘the most civil society.’ “Most trees suggest some particular quality. For instance, in the language of the trees, now being revived by The Men of the Trees, Acacia stands for friendship, the Almond for hope, while thg Apple is suggestive of invitation. The Ash represents grandeur, and the Mountain Ash means prudence, or ‘With me you are safe.’

‘No tree in all the grove but has its charm. And each its hue peculiar.’ “In ‘The Landscape,’ by R. P. Knight, who wrote between 1750 and 1824, advises:

‘Ere yet the planter undertakes hi's toil. Let him examine well his clime and soil; Patient explore what best with both will suit, And rich in leaves, luxuriantly shoot. For trees, unless in vigorous health they rise, Can ne’er be grateful objects to the eyes . . . ’

“As with the ideal gardens of the Ancients, so with the ideal garden of today the tree, or trees, should be its outstanding feature. Many of those with new houses have been fortunate old trees which have been wisely left enough to be able to retain some of the when building and garden-making was in progress.

“There is something very satisfying about planting a tree which will outlive us and witness in mute splendour the changing conditions of the future. Trees, being abundant producers, provide us with a multitude of life’s necessities, from the tfme we were lulled to sleep in a wooden cradle to the evening of life, the trees’ intimate service to us is obvious. Then, too, there is the inspirational value of trees, their health-giving properties, and their contribution to the beautification of our country. Our dependence upon them is astounding and they greatly add to the happiness and joy of living. “John Gerard, who lived between 1545 and 1612, gave this advice: ‘Forward in the name of God, graffe, set, plant and nourish up trees in every corner of your ground; the labour is small, the cost is nothing, the commodity is great; yourselves shall have plenty, the poore shall have somewhat in time of want to relieve their necessitie. and God shall reward your good mindes and dilligence.'