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Confessions of a Tree Hugger

Reflection by Gary Henderson
Photo slideshow and compilation by Brenda Smotherman

Diane Degnan not only accepted the tree hug challenge, but the nature lover also penned a haiku to accompany her photo captured at Oak Hills Golf Course. (See the end of the article for her haiku.)
Diane Degnan not only accepted the tree hug challenge, but the nature lover also penned a haiku to accompany her photo captured at Oak Hills Golf Course. (See the end of the article for her haiku.)
Dan Hoag and his family are lifelong tree huggers. He shares these photos noting that "this old oak is in the backyard of a dear friend, and it served as the sight for our 1993 Christmas card photo. (Dan, Becky, Beth and Jon Hoag pictured) In 2019, when Becky and I were visiting this friend we were asked to do a recreation of the shot 26 years later."
Dan Hoag and his family are lifelong tree huggers. He shares these photos noting that "this old oak is in the backyard of a dear friend, and it served as the sight for our 1993 Christmas card photo. (Dan, Becky, Beth and Jon Hoag pictured) In 2019, when Becky and I were visiting this friend we were asked to do a recreation of the shot 26 years later."
Renee McNeill says that some of her favorite trees are in a place that she calls a second home, Gumbane. She shares this tree hugging photo taken in her beloved village in Mozambique.
Renee McNeill says that some of her favorite trees are in a place that she calls a second home, Gumbane. She shares this tree hugging photo taken in her beloved village in Mozambique.
Steven Adair shared this victory pose of he and fellow Glendale UMC member and kickball teammate Josh Upchurch. The two found joy in climbing and hugging this tree for a goofy photo while celebrating their kickball game win.
Steven Adair shared this victory pose of he and fellow Glendale UMC member and kickball teammate Josh Upchurch. The two found joy in climbing and hugging this tree for a goofy photo while celebrating their kickball game win.
Brenda Smotherman has always loved the beauty of trees (especially old ones) and took time to grab a hug during a recent visit to the Nashville Zoo. Unfortunately the pre-digital camera era photo album that features her favorite trees wasn't handy, but they are ones not to be missed. If you journey the scenic 17-Mile Drive in Northern California you'll encounter Ghost Tree - a lone, gnarled, 250+ year old white cypress jutting out of a rock that stands in stark contract to the bright blue waters below. She also highly recommends visiting Muir Woods in California to experience the coastal redwoods that range between 600 and 800 years old, with one measuring in at 258 feet. In lieu of her favorite images, she shares an image of a cacao tree outside a chocolate factory in Roatan Honduras (top R) and the beautiful root systems of Bermuda's mangrove trees (bottom R) both captured during 2019 cruise trips.
Brenda Smotherman has always loved the beauty of trees (especially old ones) and took time to grab a hug during a recent visit to the Nashville Zoo. Unfortunately the pre-digital camera era photo album that features her favorite trees wasn't handy, but they are ones not to be missed. If you journey the scenic 17-Mile Drive in Northern California you'll encounter Ghost Tree - a lone, gnarled, 250+ year old white cypress jutting out of a rock that stands in stark contract to the bright blue waters below. She also highly recommends visiting Muir Woods in California to experience the coastal redwoods that range between 600 and 800 years old, with one measuring in at 258 feet. In lieu of her favorite images, she shares an image of a cacao tree outside a chocolate factory in Roatan Honduras (top R) and the beautiful root systems of Bermuda's mangrove trees (bottom R) both captured during 2019 cruise trips.

During a recent chapel service, Gary Henderson issued a challenge for our staff to go out and literally hug a tree. To take time to have an experience while connecting with nature and God’s creation.

The slideshow above shares images from those who accepted the challenge.

To follow, experience an inspirational reflection written by Gary and a sampling of images from his tree encounters . . . 

I am not sure when it started, but I have been hugging trees a long time.  I have hugged trees on six continents.  Sometimes they seem to call my name and I respond with a selfie of the tree and me, sometimes I hand my camera to a traveling companion and ask them to take the picture for me.  I often wonder what stories trees could tell if only they could speak.  My imagination runs wild as I hear their stories in my mind.

I recently witnessed the clearing away of a grove of trees by a huge claw like machine; it literally ripped the trees from their roots, out of the ground.  I am sure that I felt their pain as the trees gave way for what was probably a housing development.  I felt profound grief in the moment.

Trees remind me of the splendor in creation.  Trees remind me of the creative hand of God at work all around me.  Trees speak to the child in me and invites him to come and play.  I find comfort and solace in the shade, shelter and embrace of trees.  I just love trees!

I recently learned that other than people and God, trees are the most mentioned living thing in the Bible.  Trees are referred to in the first chapter of Genesis (verses 11- 12), in the first psalm (Psalm 1:3) and on the last page of Revelation (22:2).  In Proverbs, 3:18 wisdom is “a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.” – ESV.  I just love holding on to trees.

I am unapologetically a tree hugger and invite you to be one too.

Left: Gary Henderson enjoying his time at a coconut grove in Liberia. Right: While in Liberia he also admired a tree trunk with lots of character and stopped for selfie. 

Gary found the Grand Canyon a great opportunity for tree photoshoots. 

Visit the National Wildlife Federation and Arbor Day Foundation websites to learn about the benefits of trees and find out how you can order free seedlings. 

Enjoy this haiku as we reach the end of our tree adventure:

Embracing the Challenge by Diane Degnan

The fragrant pine tree

Unlike the maples and oaks

Remains ever green

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