Hi all,
I’ve had a request from members of my UU congregation for any ceremonies or rituals of honor for the death/removal of a beloved tree. I’m happy to create something with them…but I know that they’re independent folks and would love to find and do something on their own.
Might you all know of anything or have created something you’d share? I looked through our books, but didn’t see anything that was applicable, unless I missed it.
Thanks!
I don’t know of anything in AODA books (and I haven’t read all the Trilothons, so there could be things in there), but Dana does have a couple of helpful blog posts on Druid’s Garden. This one is for trees taken too soon: https://thedruidsgarden.com/2015/08/24/druid-tree-workings-holding-space-and-helping-tree-spirits-pass/. This one is for trees nearing the end of a more natural life span: https://thedruidsgarden.com/2021/12/05/druid-tree-workings-witnessing-the-death-of-an-old-tree/.
If this is a public tree, I also read an article once somewhere about a beloved tree on a college campus that was dying and needed to come down for safety reasons. The college put the information out about the tree and the plans to take it down and encouraged people to say their farewells before the date. If I remember right, this led to a lot of people stopping and talking to the tree and maybe even leaving flowers with it and such. It seemed like such a lovely thing to do for both the tree and the people who loved it.
Marvelous! Thank you, Amy – this will be a good start for my folks. It’s a beloved old tree on their property that must come down because it isn’t healthy or safe any longer.
I asked this same question of JMG on one of his Magic Monday posts back in 2021. A large oak in our yard was damaged by a severe ice storm and needed to come down. His suggestion was to speak with the tree at least a few days ahead of its removal and explain what is going to happen and that you are sorry for its loss. He said this gives the tree’s spirit time to prepare and depart.
It was comforting for me as well.
Thank you for this – I’ll pass this along!
Thanks for sharing these, Amy! I have a lot more on this topic in my new book Land Healing as well. Happy to share more here too.
(And maybe as we are revising the candidate guide, we can put something in there, since we have the tree planting ritual).
It would be wonderful to have rites for the circle of life available in the Candidate Guide.
I’ll let my people know that you have material on this in your book, Dana!
You may also bring up the disposition of the remains as a part of the ceremonies revolving around the removal of the tree.
If type and size permit, perhaps a nice bench to enjoy the shade beneath the new tree.
Perhaps some artwork on slabs of the wood for the halls or sanctuary.
Lots of ways to dispose of the remains that allows the tree to remain with the congregation and watch their growth.
These are all very good ideas! Thank you!
(It seems like we have plenty of good ideas to go into the Candidate Guide, @DanaD!)
They’ve saved three rounds from the trunk to serve as seats in the garden, and the arborists left about 14 feet of trunk. I suggested they find a carver to make it into art they can enjoy in their yard. The ceremonies happened over about three days, before and after the work was done. And their arborist made sure to show them the rot damage that meant the tree had to come down for safety. It sounds like everyone did the very best they could imagine.
I recently had a reminder of the importance of this type of ritual/awareness. I have been under pressure to get a fencing project done because the free range cattle are destroying my gardens and orchard. There was a tree that needed to come down. In my normal state of mind I would have a conversation with the tree but as I had help with removal of the limbs and clearing for the fence, I just mindlessly plowed forward and cut this tree down.
Two days later I was in the Urgent Care facility unable to move my arm due to a frozen (inflamed) shoulder. I don’t think this was punishment but I do believe Mother Nature was reminding me of may place in this world as a loving caretaker. What I did had to be done and I, as a woodworker will be using the wood but I should have done this more respectfully.
I have since spoken with the lingering spirit of this tree and apologized. I guess better late than never but I certainly learned my lesson. This experience has also reignited my walk down the path of Druidry.
It is remarkable how our bodies speak to us, isn’t it? I hope your shoulder has improved and I’m glad to know that you’re back here, too!
Do you know what you will make yet with the wood that will incorporate/honor the life of the tree?
One of the gifts of the mesquite tree here in the Sonoran desert is shade. We are still discussing it (the trees spirit and I) but I think it will be part of a ramada/trellis along a path we have planned with garden beds on each side. Native tepary beans can grow on it and native chiltepin plants at its base as if it were still a living, breathing tree.
The smaller branches will be used for pendants that I like to make based on the woods grain patterns. They often turn out to be feather shaped. I have also been considering Ogham discs.
And thank you for your well wishes. My shoulder is feeling a good bit better.
That sounds like a beautiful way to use the wood…and I’m glad for your shoulder, too.
I believe a ceremony for the death of a tree should be a way to honor the tree’s life and legacy, and an opportunity for growth in its passing. It should inspire others to value the environment.
And Then