Resting Tree

Text reads:

“Hi there. Welcome. Please, sit.

I've been here for a while and would love a little company. Not too long ago I was growing in a forest near here enjoying the unreasonably cool spring of 2019. I say not too long because let's face it, trees live for centuries, even millennia. Although, to be fair, us Birch are more of a short-lived species, and that sort of longevity is more of a white pine thing.

Anyway, I digress. I'm really glad to have you here . It means it is time for a rest and I love rests because I used to really like growing. And resting is the most important part of any type of growing. It makes sense if you can see what's going on. Just take a look at my rings (here) Rest, grow, rest, grow, rest. Can you imagine if I had tried only growing and never rested? HA! I would be a very unstable and uninteresting tree had I done that. Or, even worse, if I had assumed way back here that I was done growing . What a shame it would have been if I had not allowed more stillness. Which brings me back to you. who is being a bit still right now. Congratulations! Even you are not done growing yet.

But at this point you have probably noticed this spot over here. This is where I had something growing and then not. I was a lovely little branch for a brief moment, one of my early attempts at branching and, if I do say so myself, it was quite elegant. Alas, not all things are meant to stick around. I remember it was when a very majestic maples came into its prime nearby. With its towering canopy, I had to do some de-limbing just to keep up. All that wasn't necessary had to go, and yes, that included this dear little branch. (If you are a scientist or would like to know the scientific word for this you might call this process cladoptsis.)

So I had to heal over that little scar and move on. Fortunately, it is here with me still, making this clever little cavity you now see. It could probably use some cleaning, and if you happen to be in the mood, I'd welcome a clearing out of any debris. I've found it's also a very useful spot to something small if you need a place to store anything while you are resting, just please, don't put any boogers in there because it might lead to other people putting boogers in there and then it might get filled with boogers in there and that would be gross and unsightly and very, very unsanitary. So please, keep those to yourself.

OK, well then. Have you had a good rest yet? I'm feeling a bit tired so it might be nice if you moved on soon. Not to seem pushy, but I think it might be time I take a rest now too.”