TREES REACH TO THE SKY — Sharon Mark Cohen

When our children were learning about trees, we investigated the neighborhood looking for different leaves to complete their school projects. Expanding the search, we scouted for more varieties of leaves in the nearby South Mountain Reservation.

On our property alone we have more than a handful of varieties of trees. Off the top of my head, Red Maple, Oak, Magnolia, Dogwood, Sourwood, Japanese Maple, Sycamore, and others dot our grounds. Of the many, my husband and I agreed to have two and sometimes three young trees of the same variety planted.

Watching nature take its course, every time the chlorophyll breaks down and the green color disappears, the yellow to orange colors become visible and give the leaves a part of their fall splendor. In the varying Northeast seasons, the leaves go through photosynthesis, causing them to change colors in fall and green in springtime when they make lots of Chlorophyll. The results of the natural process always make us marvel.

A quick refresher from the internet on what we learned so many years ago in grammar school shows that “Chlorophyll is important because it helps plants make energy from sunlight—a process called photosynthesis. The summer sunlight triggers the leaves to keep making more chlorophyll.”

This year, with severe drought conditions, the leaves were not expected to showcase their beautiful fill of vibrant yellow, oranges, or my favorite red display of colors. Rather, they were predicted to dry up and fall to the ground without giving the yearly performance we greatly anticipate.

Then along came the remnants of Hurricane Ian. When my husband and I returned to New Jersey last month from Southern California, we were welcomed with a variety of colorful leaves on the neighborhood trees and those in the nearby South Mountain Reservation.

While we were not expecting to be seeing the full vivid array of fall leaf colors this season, we knew we could enjoy some awe-inspiring creativity. For example, on August 31, 2022, our friend Marvin Kaleky posted on Facebook, “The tallest tree in Wales got damaged by a storm and was supposed to be cut down, instead chainsaw artist Simon O'Rourke found a better solution to symbolize the tree’s last attempt to reach the sky.”

While out walking in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, not long after seeing that posting, my husband and I spotted the most unusual sighting. What looked to be an arm reaching out from the bottom of a bountifully leafed Evergreen tree was a natural tree root. What a striking sight to see its “fingers!”

Could seeing these trees reaching out in all directions be a sign? With so much to see and do simply by enjoying or enhancing such a grand phenomenon as the beauty of nature, we can readily find more projects to keep our minds focused on what is good and right in the world.

The common phrase, “stop and smell the roses,” rings true. Maybe by so doing, while marveling at the scenery along the way, we’ll even find picturesque things to photograph, reflect on, or build upon.

Here’s to nature’s bounty all around to be discovered and enjoyed. Take the lead from the trees. With a firm grounding, reach out to others and reach to the sky!