What Tree Would You Be?

When you go to design school, one of the first things the professors try to teach the students is to think outside of the box.  Today’s post could have been an assignment in my first year studio.  After spending so much time outdoors this weekend, I thought it would be fun to try this little exercise……

I have always had an affinity for trees…I don’t remember exactly when my love affair with trees began.   As a child, I remember playing under a weeping willow tree at a friend’s house.  The branches were so graceful as they blew in the wind.  We spent hours playing and dancing around that tree.   Many years later, I harbored pity for a tree that became prisoner on a traffic island, when a new road was built.  You know the old Joni Mitchell song, “They paved paradise to up a parking lot.”  Well, that poor tree was definitely a poster for that song!  Each time we my kids and I would pass that tree, I would always “there’s my tree”.  One day I stopped and took a picture of the tree, because I wanted to always remember how it look there by itself on that cramped island.  My kids thought that was so funny! 
I guess one of the reasons I felt pity for that tree was because, I see trees as being like people.  They come into this world and have to make their way.  Sometimes, life is easy and you thrive, other times, it is a struggle.  Trees come in all shapes, sizes, colors and varieties, just like we do.  I think the only difference in people and trees is we get to put our roots where ever we choose and they don’t.  We can somewhat control our fate but trees are at the mercy of others.  Sometimes, I think it would be fun to be a tree and just enjoy being…


My questions is….If you could be a tree, what tree would you be?