“Every year a given tree creates absolutely from scratch ninety-nine percent of its living parts. Water lifting up tree trunks can climb one hundred and fifty feet an hour; in full summer a tree can, and does, heave a ton of water every day. A big elm in a single season might make as many as six million leaves, wholly intricate, without budging an inch; I couldn’t make one. A tree stands there, accumulating deadwood, mute and rigid as an obelisk, but secretly it seethes, it splits, sucks and stretches; it heaves up tons and hurls them out in a green, fringed fling. No person taps this free power; the dynamo in the tulip tree pumps out even more tulip tree, and it runs on rain and air.”
Credits: Thank you Susan @ Licht Years for another wonderful photograph. Quote Source: Thank you (yet again) WhiskeyRiver.
Related Posts:
How I love trees. And when a subject for Annie Dillard, how can they not come alive with additional dimension? Love this.
Haven’t had the pleasure of reading anything by Annie Dillard. If this is what she produces, I’ll need to get after it.
She’s pretty darn good.
This helps me see trees in a whole new light.
Yes, in a much larger light.
Thanks for posting my photo! How perfect Annie Dillard’s words go with it! Like you, I’m going to have to look into her writing.
My pleasure. It was a beautiful shot Susan. Thank you.
What a precise description of what goes on in a tree’s life.Excellent writing.
It is certain that (excellent) Anneli
I love old trees. Living and breathing character, and majesty,
Yes Michael. I’m with you. All Earth.
Six million leaves … WOW!
Yes, I had the same reaction Laurie.
I’ve always known trees were very special. Now they’re even more so.
Yes. Ms. Dillard puts them in a much larger context. Wonderful passage.
I love the whole idea of this passage! Here’s something as quotidian as a tree, ubiquitous and at the same time *incredible*. And Mimi’s right, David, ya gotta check out Annie Dillard…awesome!
I’m on it Lori. I’m on it.
Good man. “The Living” and “Pilgrim at Tinker Creek” are two favorites….
OK, thanks Lori
Love trees, all that prana.
Prana = vital life. I had to look it up Claire. Thanks for the learning experience.
Trees, I adore. As a child I used to climb them, sketch them, do bark rubbings of them, hide inside them, lie on my back looking at the sky through their branches, sleep under them, collect acorns and string them together to make bracelets. I’ve woven a whole chapter in my novel-in-progress around the eco-system of a tree. Long live those mighty creations, for without them we all die.
What an evocative image you’ve painted (yet again) Sarah. Wonderful.