Pencil Pines

As we walked up to the Walls of Jerusalem we met a track ranger. I didn’t know we had them in Australia. Well in NSW we definitely don’t, but it seems there are some in Tasmania.

She was lovely, as you’d expect, with lots of advice and so much local knowledge. She had tabs on most of the people on the walk too. With her around people seemed a little more respectful of the place, and as soon as she was gone, people were happy to camp right next to the lake in an area where camping was banned. We, as the human race can be so shameless. :(

She sparked my interest in the Pencil Pines. Hearing about how they don’t regenerate after fires so easily. How the stand we were walking into was so special. How the stand had been reduced due to recent fires. I spent the next three days playing with them, visually in my work. A homage to their importance and inspiration.

They can be easily 1000 years old, they can clone through suckering. Stands can be genetically identical and be thousands of years old. I can imagine they live as one. Sharing resources and knowledge, helping each to stay alive. What we see as a forest is actually one organism.

They are so beautiful, we sat and read with them. They bought so much contentment. A magical experience.

I was in Sutherland on Monday. Someone in the street said hello ‘how’s the tree hugging going?’ they queried. Still going strong I can assure you. We need trees more than ever atm. The fight for their destruction is not over. Do you know they are still clear felling old growth forest in the Tarkine in Tasmania. Unbelievable. My heart goes out to those that are there fighting the fight on our behalf. The ones getting arrested to make their point and to slow this mindless destruction.

Under the pencil pines, I put my hand. Feel their presence and gain strength from them. Yes, I will continue to fight for your preservation and am eternally grateful for your gifts of life that I receive with every breath of air I take. How can we be so arrogant about our fresh air, food, water and climate stability? Personally, I am eternally grateful for every trees presence.

Pencil Pines. Photograph and text copyright © Len Metcalf 2020

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