Mr. Cox, the village prankster, was walking down a wooded trail. When his neighbor, the young Jones boy, appeared coming the other way. As they drew near, Mr. Cox held up a piece of chalk, pointed at a large oak tree about ten yards off of the trail.
“Hello, young man. Fine day for a walk. I've got a fiver that you can't chalk an X on the front of that oak tree”
The young lad accepted the wager, taking the chalk he walked over and slowly circles the tree, looking it up and down. To the amazement of Mr. Cox, the young man proudly chalked a large X on the tree.
Mr. Cox chuckled, asking, “How do you know that is the front?”
Young Jones smiled and replied, “Someone took a dump on the other side.”
Trees do communicate with each other! Read Suzanne Simard’s book “Finding the Mother Tree.” It changed how I view nature. Trees are so much more complex than we know.
(And I believe the elm tree in my backyard growing up enjoyed having a swing hanging from one of her massive branches!)
I have fallen deeply in love with the trees in my neighborhood this year. I’ve always liked them but something changed this year. I feel like I’m seeing them as individuals with personalities and stories. Not coincidentally I also began working fully remote this year and replaced commuting with a daily ramble. So good.
Love love love .... the older tree counseling the younger tree...and when we're not hoping and praying for our country...."fun CAN happen to adults." These are super. Thank q.
I went to college at the University of California at Santa Cruz in the late 70’s. The campus is these separate colleges built in a redwood forest. It is absolutely gorgeous.
My first week there was a new path near my college. It was so new it didn’t have lights yet. I went for a walk by myself on a moonless night.
I’ve never been afraid of the dark. As I walked along it felt like the dark cradled me. It was the most beautiful feeling.
Years later I read about trees in a forest communicating with each other. I realized it was not the dark but the redwoods that gave me that amazing hug on that moonless night.
Some scientists do believe trees talk to each other…”the wood -wide web”.🌳💚🌲
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/07/science/trees-fungi-talking.html?unlocked_article_code=1.1k0.jfSe._hxZJ0ZUZ93E&smid=url-share
WOnderful!
And they must share stories- no wonder they shake from time to time
Yes!
Mr. Cox, the village prankster, was walking down a wooded trail. When his neighbor, the young Jones boy, appeared coming the other way. As they drew near, Mr. Cox held up a piece of chalk, pointed at a large oak tree about ten yards off of the trail.
“Hello, young man. Fine day for a walk. I've got a fiver that you can't chalk an X on the front of that oak tree”
The young lad accepted the wager, taking the chalk he walked over and slowly circles the tree, looking it up and down. To the amazement of Mr. Cox, the young man proudly chalked a large X on the tree.
Mr. Cox chuckled, asking, “How do you know that is the front?”
Young Jones smiled and replied, “Someone took a dump on the other side.”
That is how the young lad made a quick fiver.
Mr. Cox's first name wouldn't be Wally, would it, for he is easily amazed.
No. Walter lives in Derbyshire, though they might be cousins.
My thought was that the story could be about an act of generosity. Mr. Cox invented a game where his intention was to lose and give Jonesy a fiver.
I believe trees talk to one another 🤭 Love this drawing Liza!
Thanks, D.L.!
Trees do communicate with each other! Read Suzanne Simard’s book “Finding the Mother Tree.” It changed how I view nature. Trees are so much more complex than we know.
(And I believe the elm tree in my backyard growing up enjoyed having a swing hanging from one of her massive branches!)
I love both those drawings so much, especially the Tree Mentor. 🤗
Thanks, Philip! I liked it, too. Annoyed The New Yorker didn't....
Thanks for the reminder! We need a swing!
I have fallen deeply in love with the trees in my neighborhood this year. I’ve always liked them but something changed this year. I feel like I’m seeing them as individuals with personalities and stories. Not coincidentally I also began working fully remote this year and replaced commuting with a daily ramble. So good.
Both are great. I almost like the top one better
Thanks. Yea, it's a bit sweeter.
Love love love .... the older tree counseling the younger tree...and when we're not hoping and praying for our country...."fun CAN happen to adults." These are super. Thank q.
I went to college at the University of California at Santa Cruz in the late 70’s. The campus is these separate colleges built in a redwood forest. It is absolutely gorgeous.
My first week there was a new path near my college. It was so new it didn’t have lights yet. I went for a walk by myself on a moonless night.
I’ve never been afraid of the dark. As I walked along it felt like the dark cradled me. It was the most beautiful feeling.
Years later I read about trees in a forest communicating with each other. I realized it was not the dark but the redwoods that gave me that amazing hug on that moonless night.
That's a wonderful reminincence. Your comment made me realize that I now know I NEED to visit the redwood forests!! Really.
They are truly amazing!!