What Kind of Tree Are You?
A few years ago, I went on a forest and mountain hike in Adelboden, nestled in the Swiss Alps. It was a beautiful autumn afternoon, and I absorbed my surroundings with all my senses. The trees stood tall in the fading sunlight, filling the entire space with their presence. It felt overwhelming and powerful to try to grasp nature’s vastness, and I began to wonder: what does it take for a tree to grow in one place?
Symbolism in trees
A tree needs a foundation to stand on—a fertile ground, though trees vary in how much they depend on it. Some are more demanding than others; they, like us, have different personalities and basic needs. A tree needs space for its roots, nutrients, and water. Roots anchor the tree to its place and create a connection to the unseen, inner dimension of stability and self-worth.
Branches could symbolize our relationships. They reach out from within to meet the surrounding world, offering rest to passing birds, giving relationships a physical dimension. The branches extend all the way to the outer world, beyond the home we’ve created, linking us to what lies beyond. Annual rings and leaves (or needles) represent our resilience and well-being. A good spot to grow, with favorable conditions, leads to thick annual rings and healthy leaves. Beautiful, natural, and harmonious environments affect our bodies and minds in a similar way.
Different needs
One could even go so far as to divide people into different types of trees. While some thrive in warmer climates, others need less sun and can withstand strong winds, storms, and harsh winters. Unlike trees, people can move and form relationships with many places. How would this analogy work for a nomadic lifestyle? Imagine you’re a tree in a pot. In other words, you have your soil and your base. You may benefit—or not—from the new environment, but we know you’ll manage to survive. How can we be sure a specific environment will be fruitful, providing conditions for happiness, growth, and meaning?
Reflection Questions:
Let’s play with the idea that you are a tree.
What kind of tree would you be?
Write down what that tree looks like; if you wish, you could even draw it.
What unique qualities does this tree have?
Write down what your tree needs to blossom, grow, and thrive.
Read through your answers. What insights come to you?