Do you want to learn the compassionate way to cut down a tree? Have you ever felt guilty about having to do tree work? Read on to learn more about cutting down trees in a compassionate, spiritual way.
When I wrote my book If Trees Could Talk: Life Lessons from the Wisdom of the Woods last year in 2019, I got a lot of questions about my process for collecting the tree stories. People were curious and wanted to know more about how to communicate with tree spirits. They wanted to learn a spiritual way to make contact with trees.
This led to my most popular blog post, How to Talk to Trees: Communicating With Tree Spirits. You might want to open that up in a new tab as you’ll probably find it useful.
I occasionally get emails from people who have to do tree work such as pruning or even cutting down a tree. They ask me how to do it in a respectful, compassionate way that shows that value the life of the tree. Here are some ideas on compassionate ways to cut down trees.
Trees are a fundamental part of our planet’s ecosystem, providing oxygen, shade, and shelter for countless living organisms. They play a crucial role in mitigating climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it in their wood and roots. Sadly, many trees are being cut down at an alarming rate, which threatens not only the survival of the trees themselves but also the health and well-being of the planet as a whole. Therefore, it’s important to celebrate the life of a tree and honor its contribution to our planet’s biodiversity.
First of all, it’s important to be aware that when you’re cutting down a tree, you’re taking a life. Remember this, above all.
Connect with the tree
The most important thing is to be respectful. This goes for talking with people, and it goes for talking with trees, plants, and other living beings. That’s especially important in this type of situation.
This is where you might want to read my article How to Talk to Trees: Communicating With Tree Spirits to get some ideas on how to communicate with the tree. Maybe you’re already an experienced tree communicator. Either way, approach the tree and explain the situation. You might want to wait for a reply, or if you’re not confident in your tree communication skills, you can continue. The important thing is that you’re connecting with the tree.
Explain what you’ll be doing: whether it’s pruning or something more drastic. Explain why this is necessary. You can do this silently, or aloud.
Express gratitude
Expressing gratitude for a tree can be a meaningful way to honor its contribution to our environment. One way to do this is to simply spend time near the tree and reflect on its beauty and importance. Express your gratitude for all that the tree has given you over the years. Take your time giving thanks to the tree. Again, you can do this silently or out loud.
Whatever method you choose, taking the time to acknowledge and express gratitude for the tree can help deepen your connection to nature and inspire a greater sense of environmental stewardship.
Present an offering
You might want to present an offering to the tree, as part of expressing your gratitude. You can sprinkle water around the base. You can use fresh water or you can add things to it like essential oils, Rescue Remedy, or Calm and Clear from the Australian Bush Flower essences. You can also leave offerings such as cut flowers, leaves, or other natural materials at the base of the tree as a sign of appreciation.
You can also sing a song or chant a mantra or do a dance. There’s no right or wrong way to do this—go with what feels natural for you. If you’re not a singer or a dancer, then do something else.
Provide healing
Giving a tree spiritual healing can be a way to honor its life and contribute positive energy to the environment. One way to do this is through meditation or prayer near the tree, focusing on sending positive thoughts and energy towards it. By connecting with the tree in a spiritual way, you can contribute positive energy to the environment and deepen your appreciation for the natural world.
If you’re an energy healer, you might want to treat the tree with reiki, ThetaHealing, or something else. If you’re not trained in any of these modalities, you might simply touch the bark of the tree (with permission) and envision yourself sending love, light, and healing energy to the tree.
Hold a ceremony
Holding a ceremony to celebrate the life of a tree can be a powerful way to honor its contribution to the environment and to mark its passing. First, choose a location that is meaningful and appropriate for the ceremony, such as the site where the tree is standing. Next, invite friends, family, or members of the community who share your appreciation for trees and the environment.
Consider including elements such as a blessing or prayer, planting a new tree in memory of the one that was lost, sharing stories or memories about the tree, and providing food or drinks for those in attendance. By holding a ceremony to celebrate the life of a tree, you can pay tribute to its legacy and inspire others to value the importance of trees and the environment.
You might want to burn mugwort or some type of incense or use a space-clearing spray. Honor the tree and its life, give gratitude, and provide healing in a celebratory way. Let it be a celebration of the tree’s life.
Take photos or create art
Be sure to take photos of the tree from all angles so you can remember the tree once it’s gone. This is another great way to honor the tree and its beauty. If you like, you can have one or more of the photos printed to hang in your home. Remember to take both portrait (vertical) and landscape (horizontal) photos.
If you’re an artist, you could draw or paint the tree, either now, before it’s cut down or after, from the photos you take. An artistic rendering of the tree would be another beautiful way to honor its life.
Give the tree a name
You might want to honor the tree by giving it a name. All of the trees in my book If Trees Could Talk have names, some of which I came up with and some of which were given to me by the trees themselves. Ask the tree if it already has a name, and listen for the answer.
Plant a new tree
One of the best ways to celebrate the life of a tree is to plant a new one. By planting a tree, you are not only honoring the life of the tree that was cut down but also contributing to the environment by adding another tree to the planet. Planting a tree is an act of hope and renewal, and it is a positive step towards creating a healthier planet. It doesn’t have to be in the same spot as the tree that was cut down; it can be somewhere else.
If you’ve read my bookIf Trees Could Talk, you may remember the Original Queen Oak, a veteran oak of Savernake Forest. Foresters have already planted a New Queen Oak. There’s also a Replacement King Oak that was planted to honor the original King Oak.
When planting a new tree, make sure you choose the right species for the location, considering factors such as soil type, climate, and space requirements. You can seek advice from a local nursery or a certified arborist. Once you have selected the tree, prepare the planting site by removing any weeds or rocks and digging a hole deep enough to accommodate the roots. Add organic matter to the soil to improve its fertility, and then carefully place the tree in the hole, making sure the root collar is level with the soil surface. Water the tree thoroughly and add a layer of mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Hold a tree-planting ceremony
A tree-planting ceremony is a wonderful way to celebrate the life of a tree and honor its contribution to the environment. A tree-planting ceremony can be a simple or elaborate event, depending on your preferences and budget. You can invite friends and family members to participate in the ceremony and make it a meaningful and memorable occasion.
To organize a tree-planting ceremony, you can contact your local forestry department or conservation organization and ask for their assistance. They can help you select the right tree species for the location and provide you with the necessary tools and materials. You can also invite a local religious or spiritual leader to offer a blessing or prayer for the tree and its future growth. After planting the tree, you can celebrate with food and drinks, and take photos to commemorate the event.
Create a memorial
If a tree has a special meaning or sentimental value, creating a memorial can be a beautiful way to celebrate its life. A tree memorial can take many forms, such as a plaque, a garden, a bench, or even a sculpture made from the tree’s wood. A memorial can serve as a reminder of the tree’s contribution to the environment and its significance in your life.
To create a memorial, you can consult with a professional artist or craftsman who can help you design and create a unique and meaningful tribute. Alternatively, you can make a simple plaque or marker yourself and place it at the site where the tree once stood. You can also plant a garden around the site and dedicate it to the memory of the tree. You can even set up a sacred outdoor altar where the tree once stood. This can be a place of contemplation and reflection, where you can sit and remember the tree’s beauty and importance.
Use the tree’s wood
When a tree is cut down, its wood can be repurposed into useful objects such as furniture, art, and other items. This is not only a practical way to make use of the tree’s wood, but it can also be a meaningful way to honor its life and legacy. If you’re able to use the tree’s wood for carving, art, carpentry, or something else, that means that its body won’t go to waste. Even if you use it for firewood, you can build a sacred fire in memory of the tree.
Here are some ideas for using a tree’s wood:
- Furniture: One of the most common uses for a tree’s wood is to make furniture. Depending on the type of wood, it can be used to create tables, chairs, bed frames, and other pieces of furniture. Working with a professional woodworker can help ensure that the furniture is made to a high standard and will last for many years.
- Art: Another way to use a tree’s wood is to create art. The wood can be carved, painted, or used to make sculptures or other decorative pieces. This can be a creative way to preserve the memory of a tree and to celebrate its beauty and uniqueness.
- Other objects: The wood from a tree can also be used to make other useful objects, such as cutting boards, bowls, or even toys. These items can be practical and beautiful, and they can also be a way to remember the tree’s contribution to the environment.
Other ideas
There are many other ways to celebrate the life of a tree and honor its contribution to our planet’s ecosystem. Here are a few additional ideas:
- Participate in conservation efforts. Trees are essential to our environment, and there are many organizations working to protect and preserve them. You can support these efforts by volunteering, donating, or participating in educational programs. By doing so, you can help ensure that future generations will continue to benefit from the beauty and importance of trees.
- Educate others about the importance of trees: Many people are not aware of the crucial role that trees play in our environment. You can help spread awareness by talking to others about the benefits of trees, sharing articles and videos on social media, or organizing educational events.
- Practice sustainable behaviors: One of the best ways to honor trees is to practice sustainable behaviors that help protect the environment. This can include reducing your use of paper and other tree-based products, using public transportation or carpooling to reduce emissions, and supporting sustainable farming practices.
I hope you have found this article interesting and useful! It never feels good to cut down a tree, but there are many beautiful ways you can soften the pain and honor the tree’s life.
What if you already cut it down?
If you had a beloved tree that you had to cut down, but you didn’t think to honor it’s life or weren’t able to, that’s fine. You can still take the time to honor the tree in several ways: show gratitude, leave an offering where it was planted, send healing energy to the stump, plant a new tree near its spot, or hold a memorial for it. It’s never too late to show thanks for a beloved tree!
Related reading
I’ve spent the last few years talking to trees – the birches, the oaks, the beeches and the sycamores.
Trees have thousands of years of wisdom that we’re able to tap into. Talking to the trees can bring us back to our true selves and can reflect back to us the things we need to see in ourselves. It can also be a space for deep healing.
Living in the technology age, however, we spend our lives connected to computers, mobile phones, and video games. Consequently, we’ve become increasingly disconnected from ourselves and from Nature.
This book is meant to gently encourage you to get back to Nature and turn to the magic and the wisdom of the trees. By reconnecting to Nature, you can improve your relationship with yourself, which will help you make better, more aligned choices in your life.
