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I know where I want my ashes scattered.
If you are on the M25 heading anticlockwise, Southbound, between junction 17 and 16 there is a sign stating that you have entered Buckinghamshire. Not long after that on the left is a field, and a tree in the middle of that field will stand out. All alone, on the brow of a hill, it draws the eye. Over the years I have passed this tree hundreds, maybe thousands of times, seen it with leaves, without leaves, backed by thick slatey skies, ‘Simpsons’ skies, obliterated by fog, backed by a sherberty sunrise. I have always wanted to have a photograph of it in all of its variations on my wall but have never had the impetus to pull off the motorway and actually find a route to it.
That tree and I have eyed each other through good times and shitty times, when times are shitty I particularly think about wanting to be deposited there when I’m gone.
The first year of secondary school, I had a bad time. I was like a young meerkat who had been rejected by the mob, certain members were able to influence the rest with their smear campaign and out I was cast.
Like those nature programs where a member of the group is rejected for a superficial reason - they smelt funny, they got knocked up by the alpha male when they were not alpha female, they hurt their paw and couldn’t keep up - Suddenly I found myself alone, wandering the concrete plains, conspicuous by my solitude. The jackals – sullen 11 year old boys in my year – trailed the scent of weakness, yelled ‘loner’ at me every lunchtime and delighted in telling me what the girl who hated me had been saying. I imagined wildlife filmmakers were following my pathetic plight without intervening. ‘Rejected juvenile Naughton has survived another day alone in the grounds of the school. She skulked in areas where she knew there was cover and eventually found a bench at the top of a hill above the playing fields, that looked out onto the M25. It seemed that it was not within the territory of any predators, the plains below were filled with 5th year jackals, focused only on their footballs, so she cowered there unseen, able to keep a look out for the enemy whilst watching the vehicles charging clockwise North, longing to be inside any one of them.’
Having my ashes scattered under this tree is a most suitable spot. I live on the periphery. In most other people’s lives I am merely a fleeting presence, like the littlest hobo, except I don’t help anyone and no children cry when I disappear again. Every time someone who once knew me is driving along that section of the M25 they might pass the tree and think of me. This would certainly be more often than they’d ever think of me otherwise - If my ashes were in some garden of remembrance. This way no-one has to actually go out of their way to visit me, they can just pass by on their way and wave, or swear - apt representation of all of my relationships anyway – arms length/motorway’s width. You can’t actually go up to the tree, you can only view it from a distance, see it in passing, no chance to linger, no awkward pleasantries, no small-talk.
One idle Monday-dreading-Sunday I decided, today was the day to photograph my tree of death. Using Googlemaps I was able to find my tree and work out the possible routes to it.
Googlemaps streetview now shows, with little blue dots, the places people have taken photos, and you can see the exact spot they stood. My tree features in several of these shots. Maybe this could be the future of memorials - we can do away with engraved benches and instead have Google Memorials – a black dot on the map that, when you roll over it, shows who chose this to be their memorial spot - a brief life history, a couple of photos, links to every one of their multitude of blogs, websites, tweets, so much information that they are practically alive again according to their web presence. In order to secure the best memorial spots bidding would be done on Ebay, top spots being famous landmarks, football stadiums and strip clubs. Then we may as well have Google Graves and Google Gore – gold stars for all the spots where famous people are buried, and red splatters where noteworthy deaths occurred, you know how we like that. Instead of just getting it to show the traffic situation on your phone you can also ask for the gore spots to be shown. “Oh damn, accident on the M4, sorry kids, we’d better find another route to Legoland – in fact if we take that back road there are three gore-spots we will go past, you’d like that wouldn’t you kids?”
“Yay!!!!”
The christmas tree is officially up and all lit up in front of the Capitol Building. I missed the ceremony but made it to see it in all it’s tree glory. Can’t wait for the White House tree - See more at: www.abpan.com/blog/page/2/#sthash.Nff7iLHj.dpuf
The and Value of Trees
Tree Shadows on Lawn
Since the beginning, trees have furnished us with two of life’s essentials, food and oxygen. As we evolved, they provided additional necessities such as shelter, medicine, and tools. Today, their value continues to increase and more benefits of trees are being discovered as their role expands to satisfy the needs created by our modern lifestyles.
Community & Social Value
Trees are an important part of every community. Our streets, parks, playgrounds and backyards are lined with trees that create a peaceful, aesthetically pleasing environment. Trees increase our quality of life by bringing natural elements and wildlife habitats into urban settings. We gather under the cool shade they provide during outdoor activities with family and friends. Many neighborhoods are also the home of very old trees that serve as historic landmarks and a great source of town pride.
Using trees in cities to deflect the sunlight reduces the heat island effect caused by pavement and commercial buildings.
Complimentary Consultation
Ecological & Environmental Value
Trees contribute to their environment by providing oxygen, improving air quality, climate amelioration, conserving water, preserving soil, and supporting wildlife. During the process of photosynthesis, trees take in carbon dioxide and produce the oxygen we breathe. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, “One acre of forest absorbs six tons of carbon dioxide and puts out four tons of oxygen. This is enough to meet the annual needs of 18 people.” Trees, shrubs and turf also filter air by removing dust and absorbing other pollutants like carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. After trees intercept unhealthy particles, rain washes them to the ground.
Trees control climate by moderating the effects of the sun, rain and wind. Leaves absorb and filter the sun’s radiant energy, keeping things cool in summer. Trees also preserve warmth by providing a screen from harsh wind. In addition to influencing wind speed and direction, they shield us from the downfall of rain, sleet and hail. Trees also lower the air temperature and reduce the heat intensity of the greenhouse effect by maintaining low levels of carbon dioxide.
Autumn Tree
Both above and below ground, trees are essential to the eco-systems in which they reside. Far reaching roots hold soil in place and fight erosion. Trees absorb and store rainwater which reduce runoff and sediment deposit after storms. This helps the ground water supply recharge, prevents the transport of chemicals into streams and prevents flooding. Fallen leaves make excellent compost that enriches soil.
Many animals, including elephants, koalas and giraffes eat leaves for nourishment. Flowers are eaten by monkeys, and nectar is a favorite of birds, bats and many insects. Animals also eat much of the same fruit that we enjoy This process helps disperse seeds over great distances. Of course, hundreds of living creatures call trees their home. Leaf-covered branches keep many animals, such as birds and squirrels, out of the reach of predators.
Personal & Spiritual Value
The main reason we like trees is because they are both beautiful and majestic. No two are alike. Different species display a seemingly endless variety of shapes, forms, textures and vibrant colors. Even individual trees vary their appearance throughout the course of the year as the seasons change. The strength, long lifespan and regal stature of trees give them a monument-like quality. Most of us react to the presence of trees with a pleasant, relaxed, comfortable feeling. In fact, many people plant trees as living memorials of life-changing events.
Trees help record the history of your family as they grow and develop alongside you and your kids. We often make an emotional connection with trees we plant or become personally attached to the ones that we see every day. These strong bonds are evidenced by the hundreds of groups and organizations across the country that go to great lengths to protect and save particularly large or historic trees from the dangers of modern development. How many of your childhood memories include the trees in your backyard or old neighborhood? The sentimental value of a special tree is simply immeasurable.
25 sec @ f/11, 90mm, Nikon D50;
Explored 9 April 2007: #197
I have been told that there is a goddess in this tree. See if you can spot her strolling from right to left.
Coincidence? Probably... I like to think not.
This is a tighter crop of the photo "Trees Whisper". Thanks to the feedback from the critique group.
Cheers,
More suggestions + comments welcome
OTT Cutesy I know but her dad wanted some of her in this outfit. She's one of these children that start striking a pose as soon as a camera is pointed at her.
Tree branches
Edit: Me
© photographer: Me
© All rights reserved
© Permission to take the picture or conservation 2009-2010
I was driving thru Valley Forge in the fog this morning and noticed this dead tree out in the middle of a field. When I stopped there was a flock of birds perched in it. They all flew away, but one bird remained - a huge hawk (?) or some other raptor. Over the weekend the view screen on my Canon Powershot A590IS got damaged. I no longer get any kind of image - not even the menus. The liquid crystal seems to be cracked, although the exterior is fine. Anyway - I went out and bought a Nikon CoolPix S3400 yesterday, and this is the first picture from the new P&S.
The trees in Plaza San Martin Buenos Aires form interesting patterns based on phenomenon is known as "crown shyness".
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor).
Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge.
Grayson County, Texas. 20 May 2020.
Nikon D850. AF-S Nikkor ED 500mm f/4 D + TC-14e II.
(700mm) f/5.6 @ 1/640 sec. ISO 6400.
A crescent moon illuminates a row of colourful houses surrounded by vibrant autumn trees. A bright winding path leads through a patchwork field toward the quaint village.
Just a tree spoted when I was looking for a place to shoot nearby river view.
Analogue. Shot with Canon EOS5, Sigma 35/1.4A, Kodak T-Max 400 dev. D-76 1+1. Film scanned with a dslr
Sweltering hot Sunday afternoon. Invitation ( very welcome! ) to Art & Garden at this amazing sprawling "thinking-out-the-box" garden cum river cum forest. That's where the "buts" come in. The world and his wife all liked the idea, too. Lovely sleepy tucked-away village..so nowhere to park. Managed it eventually. Longish walk. Ok going hill but not so good trekking back up. Wandering and chatting was a joy..plants for sale..painted silk acrves, jewellery, sculpture..tea and cakes.. and further out..a rope bridge across the river and long snaking steel steps and rails zig zagging up high bankings taking me out of the sunlight into high rise dappled woodland..and ..whoaaa, suddenly, as the path lightened..this fantastic tree house, weathered and "right" amongst the trees. How could I not stop and draw. Total peace at the start..then zillions of equally eye-dazzled familes oohing and aaahing and banging into me as I blocked their path. Gave up at the end..but was very happy!!!