NATURE AND MAN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 21 January 1939, Page 11

NATURE AND MAN

A BATTLER FOR TREES

RICHARD ST. BARBE BAKER < 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 wi*iter. 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, ecords 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 ctage 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 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, 1157-1217, wrote: ‘A noble garden will give thee also medlars, quinces, ...eaches, pears, pomegranates, etc.’ Critobulus, in conversation with Socrates, as recorded in Xenophon, B.C. 450, said: ‘I 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 an imitation of rural nature.

“With Critobulus we shall 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 1 was young: But now the tree has grown and 1 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: Ail through the :.oontide 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 the 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 ha.- n s charm And each its hue peculiar.’ “In ‘The Landscape,’ it. P. Knight,who wrote between 1750 and 1824, ad‘Ere yet the planter undertakes his 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 gratelul objects to the eyes . . .*

“As with the ideal gardens of the Ancients, so with the ideal garden of to-day the tree, or trees, should be its outstanding feature. Many of those with new houses have been fortunate enough to be rble to retain some of the old trees which have been wisely left 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 time 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 outstanding 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 coinei 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 N good mindes and dilligence.’ ”