Sloshing through
the autumn woods last Sunday, birch leaves piling up in the muddy tracks; it occurred
to me how lucky I was to be among the trees. I had a quiet place nearby to
leave behind the chaos of the city I worked in five days a week, where I could
immerse myself in another world – a world every bit as important to our health
as sleep and more real than anything any book or TV programme could conjure up.
I had moved from
Wandsworth to Surrey with the specific intent of taking more opportunities to
spend time outside all year round and now live within a quarter of a mile of
four separate open spaces – I got more than I had wished for and, having spent
14 years living in New Cross and Wandsworth, I don’t take it for granted. I see
the importance of trees; for local ecology, for human health and for
environmental harmony.
Besides, I’ve always
been a child of nature (we all are) and can’t help but take any kind of abuse
of it somewhat personally. Why wouldn’t I, everything we do always circle back
to each and every one of us?
That’s why I am
dismayed to hear about the latest problem affecting the health of our Ash
trees. That, alongside existing diseases affecting our Horse Chestnut and
native Oak, not to mention certain parties all too apparent intention to turn the
trees we have left in to some kind of cash crop, puts an unacceptable strain on
our woodland. We need to find a way to protect and replenish these vital areas.
Of course, as there
are so many issues affecting the health of our planet on such a huge scale,
individual action can seem hopeless, but I don’t think inaction is a choice
those yet to come (or only just arrived) will celebrate us for - each of us should at least do what we can
now.
Start with an
issue that resonates with you and do all you can.
Personally, I feel
a responsibility to protect and cultivate trees; do I have the right to absorb
their magic if I am complicit in their destruction; if I deny future
generations that magic; if I deny other species their perfect right to live
within them?
I’m going to
continue to plant a tree for every book we sell with www.beetrootbooks.com, continue to
support woodland charities (I donate 5% of the sales revenue to The Woodland
Trust), continue to ride my bike, recycle all paper and carry on sloshing
around in the winter woods for as long as l can.
