Tree Hunters
There are a few reasons why I recently quit my job; to read more, spend time with family, travel and work on passion projects. But most importantly, to spend more time in nature, on my terms. I've always loved trees. A long time ago, someone told me an analogy, "there are only two types of trees that survive major storms, the ones with huge, strong trunks, and the ones that are so nibble they flex back-and-forth in the wind and never break." Interpret that as you want, but it's always been a powerful analogy for the way I view how the world works.
I never just stopped, and looked around, and focused on the trees- their names, their attributes, and why they're there. Trees always remind me of positive ideas; growth, health, long life, fresh air, power, the past, the present, the future and "The Giving Tree". Unfortunately, I don't know much about trees. But, I'm determined to take more time out of my days, and walk around and learn. I recently spent a few days in a Northern Minnesota cabin and I brought along a book titled "Trees of Minnesota" by Stan Tekiela. Nice work Stan.
After a windy-rainy storm ended, we needed to get out of the cabin and stretch our legs. With Stan's book in hand, we roamed around and selected trees on the property to learn about. We dubbed ourselves, "Tree Hunters". It felt nice to slow down and learn something new. I've always thought if we can continue to learn about our surroundings then our minds will stay sharp. During our tree hunt, as we adventured down the half mile long driveway, we encountered a fallen White Spruce tree. The tree snapped about midway up the trunk from high winds earlier that day (a call back to that analogy I love). When this happens, we must clear the path.
Paper Birch
Paper Birch is a moderately heavy, white wood. It makes excellent high-yielding firewood if seasoned properly. The wood is used in furniture, flooring and popsicle sticks.
They live to about 140 years.
Balsam Fir
Small ones are used for Christmas Trees.
The wood is milled for framing lumber, siding and pulped for paper manufacture. Balsam fir oil is an EPA approved nontoxic rodent repellent. The balsam fir is also used as an air freshener and as incense.
Red Pine
The red pine is the state tree of Minnesota.
The wood is commercially valuable in forestry for timber and paper pulp, and the tree is also used for landscaping.
Eastern White Cedar
Part of the Cypress family.
In some cultures, the tree is the subject of sacred legends and is considered a gift to humanity for its myriad uses, among them crafts, construction, and medicine.
The Fallen White Spruce
