Over the weekend I was out with some friends on their boat and
while looking at the shore and the far away horizon I got to wondering about
the stand of trees in the distance. Tall, strong, almost regal. It was not
anything unusual, similar sights are visible everywhere. Riding along an
Interstate through the low country or in the mountains one sees the same. Off in
the distance trees appear uniform in height like an army on parade. So even, so neat-looking. Why is it like
this, I wondered? Do trees talk to each other and say “conform, stay in line?”
Walk down a busy city street and look ahead as far as you can see and the eye
will treat you to a smorgasbord of heights and shapes. Even if you look down a
long, wide boulevard, such as in Paris, you will notice differences. There is
always someone taller who breaks the continuity of the line. Not so with trees
in the distance. Tree tops appear even, more disciplined and I wonder how this
comes about. Trees compete for the sunlight to help them grow. It seems they willingly
share and not one is hoggish. Is this why on the horizon the line of trees
appears so even? Assuredly, I know when you get up close you will notice differences, but looking at the horizon all is orderly and unbroken.
These are just some recent random thoughts I have about
trees. I have not given much thought to trees in years, living as I did in a
metropolitan area with more asphalt and concrete than greenery. My new home (Moss
Creek plantation, Hilton Head, SC) is surrounded by trees, grass and two golf
courses. I had almost forgotten how pleasurable it is to look around and see giant
oak trees with massive trunks and limbs testifying to decades, if not
centuries, of growth. It is, all in all, a most pleasant experience.
