Deciduous trees change during all the seasons of their lives.
They also teach us many lessons.
They teach us how to hope when small buds
appear on trees after a long winter of looking lifeless.
They make us wonder in awe when their new
leaves and flowers come out in spring, such a sight to behold!
Cherry, crabapple, dogwood, plum, magnolia and other
blooming trees make the spring landscape full of beauty and joy!
Then they drop their seeds of new life for future generations.
In Summer, trees show us how to identify them
by the unique shapes of their leaves. Their leaves
provide green canopies over lawns or roads.
Trees also generously share their energy and cool shade with us.
We hear of the Mother Trees who protect their own saplings
by sending them nutrients through their roots.
Trees communicate with other trees through their
tree roots underneath the ground as well.
They also gladly support our children’s swings
and feel the arms, feet and hands of those who climb them.
And in autumn, the colors of the tree leaves delight our eyes.
We learn as trees stop producing chlorophyll during shorter days
and cooler nights, hidden pigments of bright yellow and orange appear.
Also, jewel tones of red and purple, fitting for a Queen’s crown, appear.
In autumn, trees teach us their most valuable lesson of all:
how to let go! They let go of their once brilliant leaves that have
brightened our cool fall days. One by one, they let go
of their leaves which float down to the ground, covering
our lawns with the glory of their bygone days.
If we could learn this lesson of letting go, and then being open
to new things, new ways of doing things, new people in our lives,
or new opportunities, think of how our lives would change!
In winter, after trees have finally released their leaves,
their bare tree branches, mere jagged outlines or lacy shapes,
stand starkly against the winter sky or beautiful sunset.
They seem to sleep all winter, but perhaps they are resting,
saving their energy, but still providing support for the nests of
squirrels and winter birds, as they do in all seasons.
By Jacqueline Billy
Jacqueline, the way you let each season of the tree become a teacher gives this reflection a quiet steadiness. The autumn section carries special weight, since letting go is often easier to admire in nature than to practice in our own lives when familiar things have already given us beauty. I also appreciate how winter is treated as rest and continued support, with bare branches still holding nests and sheltering life. Grateful for this gentle reminder that change, release, rest, and renewal can all belong to the same living story.
What a lovely piece. I really appreciate the reminder that trees teach us about hope, beauty, and letting go. I’ll carry this with me next time I’m out for a walk. Thank you for sharing your perspective.