Trees provide us shelter, fuel, food, protection from climate change, and beauty. But they also have deep spiritual importance, observes Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Professor of Natural Sciences Nathaniel T. Wheelwright, in this latest Nature Moments video. In a treetop conversation, forest ecologist Nalini Nadkarni points out the connection between trees and religion.
If you want to make your own natural history observations, The Naturalist’s Notebook (Storey Publishing, 2017) by Wheelwright and Research Associate in Biology Bernd Heinrich, provides guidance and a systematic format, with 100 percent of royalties going to conservation and environmental education.
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2 thoughts on “Nature Moments: The Spiritual Significance of Trees”
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They also supply us with wood.
I wish to add one piece of information in regard to Jewish values. Beyond Genesis and before Talmud lies a list of ritual objects used in the Temple. The most famous of these is the menorah, a six branched candelabra. Besides branches, the description includes many references to plant parts. Clearly, the menorah symbolizes a tree which commects heaven and earth. It is this object which is the main symbol of Jewish culture and religion.