While attending a professional tree care conference recently, I had the opportunity to listen to a presentation by Dr. Kim Coder, a professor in the Forestry Department at the University of Georgia. Dr. Coder’s talk, entitled “Cultural Aspects of Tree: Traditions and Myths”, discussed the very close bonds that have always existed between humans and trees.

According to Dr. Coder, from the earliest human writings and myths, trees have represented the power and mystery of nature. Large ancient trees seemed immortal, demanding respect and reverence. They could bare huge crops of seed and grow forests full of their own offspring. When struck by lightning or set aflame, trees, even in death, were creatures of worship, awe and fear - the homes of gods.

Every part of the globe has a myth about this “godliness.” From the oak in central Europe, to the ash in Scandinavia, trees were revered. Many early peoples thought that spirits of their ancestors lived in trees. They cultivated and protected holy trees and would beg forgiveness form a tree if it was cut. Some believed that the souls of unborn babies lived in trees until birth. In Korea, spirits of women who died in childbirth were thought to live in trees.

Other groups of people considered trees closely bound with their own creation. Greeks believed the first man was made from an ash tree. In Siberia, man and woman were thought to have been created separately from a larch and a fir. Scandinavian myths hold that gods breathed life into two tree trunks to make the first human couple. Other northern Europeans believed man was first carved from an alder. In Indonesia, vertical slices cut into a fig tree by two gods crated man, while horizontal slices created woman. In New Guinea, man was considered a tree that moved.

Some trees were known for their special attributes. In many areas, the birch was the tree of health, wisdom and safety, and its wood was used in baby cribs and cradles. Cedars were the trees of paradise in the Mid-East. They were also the symbols of faithful lovers in China, and held sacred in Nepal. Pine, acacia, white cedar catalpa and chestnut trees were planted in specific spots for specific gods around Chinese temples; mountain ash twigs were tied into knots to prevent witchcraft, and junipers were planted as protection against thieves and witches.

Some of our common trees were highly revered. Willows, for example, were the trees of sorrow. In colder climates, their branches substituted for palm leaves during Palm Sunday observances. Oaks were the symbols of strength and power, and oak cults, like the druids, existed in Ancient Britain. In China, pine was the symbol of friendship, since it remains green all year long.

Even ways of life and death have been associated with particular trees. In Germany, it was customary to plant a tree at a wedding. As children were born, an apple tree was planted for each boy, and a pear tree was planted for each girl. The longevity and fruitfulness of the trees were thought to give strength to the marriage and children. Marco Polo said that the Khan had many trees planted because “he who plants a tree will live a long life.”

Trees also played a role in warfare. In China, as a supreme symbol of conquest, conquerors would cut down holy forests rather than destroy temples. Many weapons were made of the wood from special trees, in the hope that the weapon would take on the strength of the tree.

Trees remain strong symbols today. Companies and organizations use trees as parts of their corporate logos, and as names for real estate developments. Our traditions of living with trees also continue. From backyards, to the names of streets and shopping centers, trees and tree symbols continue to contribute much to the well-being of people.