Tree Wisdom: a guide to nature’s restorative energy and wellbeing | Books | Entertainment

The UK itself is home to 123 million of them and has many historic giants, like the 1,000-year-old Allerton Oak in Liverpool.

Sadly, over the last century, Britain has lost 50 per cent of its ancient woodland – planted before or during the 1600s.

The coverage of these ancient trees is now only 2.5 per cent of the country, according to The Woodland Trust.

However, as a nation of tree lovers, felling often provokes an outcry and hits the news. Recently, Torbay Council came under fire after cutting down 40 popular palm trees in the Italian Gardens on Torquay seafront.

And the unlawful destruction of the tree in the Sycamore Gap, Hexham, Northumberland, has led to an ongoing police investigation and social media outcry.

Trees are not just aesthetically pleasing, they’re essential for our health and wellbeing.

“Trees boost physical and mental health in so many ways,” says Sally Bavin from The Woodland Trust.

“As well as keeping the atmosphere rich in oxygen, trees filter pollutants from the air, shade streets when it’s hot and even improve our immunity.”

“Research has shown chemicals called phytoncides, released by plants and trees, strengthen our immune, hormonal, circulatory and nervous systems when we breathe them in. Trees also improve our quality of life, offering relief from the symptoms of anxiety and depression.”

Alice Peck, author of Tree Wisdom, adds: “As humans, we are drawn to trees. People feel peace and serenity when they are near them.”

Here, Alice shares her guide to tapping into their healing power.

Choose a forest or wood and spend 10 to 20 minutes walking in the trees. Give yourself fully to the experience – turn off your phone.

As you walk, become aware of your breath. Find a natural rhythm of inhale and exhale. Notice what you see, hear, smell and feel – the light through the leaves, birdsong, blossom or decay, or feeling calm.

As you travel home, check in with yourself. Do you notice changes in your body or mind? What can you take from forest bathing back to your daily life? Do you feel more optimistic? More serene? Repeat as often as possible.

Try a new spot next time and note any differences in your experience and wellbeing.

Writers have been inspired by trees for centuries, so why not tap into the same power? Find a tree you feel drawn to and sit near the trunk.

Take a few minutes to write down what inspires you about it.

Think about the tree’s strength, its age and how it has weathered storms over the years. Visit the tree at regular intervals – how does it change over time?

Life is so busy, it’s important to pause sometimes – and be more tree.

One way to pause is to sit still and meditate.

You don’t even need to go outside to do this short meditation, simply look out of your window.

Find a tree and focus on its size, then notice its branches, their shapes and colours. Next, move to the trunk and look for anything unique.

When you are ready, end the meditation with a few deep breaths.

Time is slower in the forest and trees have a different chronology to us, living so much longer. Trees can teach us about patience.

Try to remember a tree you’ve known all your life. Perhaps this tree was as tall as you were as a child, now it towers into the sky.

Or, was the tree already old when you were young? Imagine living your life at this tree’s slow pace – having twice as much time as you.

Is there anything you would do differently? Can you make this change now?

Humans, like trees, are anchored and nourished by roots – although ours are family and culture. Like the tree’s hidden roots, we also depend upon what’s unseen to enrich our lives.

Trees can provide an abundance of wisdom, and you can connect to that by sitting in silence, and seeing what comes through for you.

Decide which species of tree you’re going to connect with and find this tree outside in a forest, park or near your home. If you are unable to go outside, use an online image.

Once you have your tree in view, sit quietly and look at the tree. Spend
a short while sitting in silence, focusing on the mantra connected to your tree.

Now choose your tree mantra:

• ASPEN: I let go to make space for the new.
• CHERRY: I am pure and full of beauty.
• CHESTNUT: I appreciate what I have.
• HAWTHORN: My heart is full of love.
• OAK: I am grounded and know myself.
• ROWAN: I am protected and safe.
• YEW: I am strong and full of vitality.

You can repeat this meditation with different trees.

Make a note in your journal of any thoughts that arise during your meditation.

In honour of all the trees that have played a role in your life, in the past and now, see if you can find a way to nurture them.

Maybe help at a local tree planting, support a tree project, or join volunteers on a clean-up of your local wood.

Tree Wisdom by Alice Peck (CICO Books, £14.99) is out now