Climbing Trees

My brother, Dan, was a tree climber. When he was in elementary school, and probably even junior high, he would ride his bike to the City Park, lay it haphazardly in the grass, and climb a tree. If you have ever visited Fairbury's City Park, you know that the old trees there are towering and majestic. So, when I was sent to the park to call Dan for supper, I scouted the grassy areas to find his bike, then scanned the treetops to catch a glimpse of Dan, twenty or thirty feet above me, reading a favorite book, or simply daydreaming. Only then could I call for him to come down, because he didn't often respond if he thought I couldn't find him.

I am certain that Dan was not the first tree climber in the family, and I know he is not the last.

Levi has been climbing trees for years. In fact, a couple of years ago, Meagan took his picture at Northfield Park, up in a tree. At that time, we were having trouble getting a good picture of Levi, but he even smiled for his picture in the tree. There is just something about climbing a tall tree that makes even the most reluctant model want to smile.

Now, my oldest grandchildren are climbing trees, too. Perhaps they have learned from Uncle Levi, or the desire to climb trees may be an innate characteristic; only God knows for sure. Nonetheless, Tobin and Evelyn are proficient tree climbers at home and at the park.

This tree in the Wildcat Hills did not turn out to be climbable, but that didn't stop them from trying.

Think about it: it takes much determination and body awareness, and a certain amount of fearlessness, to be able to climb a tree. Not everyone can do it.

Lydia would love to follow her siblings to the top of the highest tree, but for now, she has to be content to swing from a sturdy tree branch in her yard. Next year, though, she might be able to pull herself up to a low branch, and soon, the sky, or at least, some higher branches, will be the limit.

The next few pictures tell the story of our indomitable Evie, who used a convenient ladder to climb the biggest tree in her yard. You should take note of her interesting choice of sparkly, tree-climbing clothes. Also, notice that Grandpa Bill wasn't too sure she should be up so high, but he had less concern for Tobin, perhaps because Tobin is a boy, and certainly because he is older than Evie.

 

  

Really, though, Bill has little reason to be concerned, because Evie often leads the way when it comes to climbing trees, or anything else, for that matter.

Like Dan, Tobin is content to climb to a high perch and stay there for a while, just watching the world go by. I don't know that I would want to climb a pine tree, but Tobin didn't let the tree's sharp needles stop him. He was, however, wearing jeans and a long sleeved shirt that day, so it is quite possible that he has a better sense of appropriate tree climbing gear than his sister does.

And, why stop with trees, when you can climb to the top of the picnic shelter? (It is much safer than it looks, since the roof almost reaches the ground in the back.)

I'm concerned that tree climbing might be a dying art, a victim of over-protective parents who won't let their children try to do anything that might be even remotely dangerous. However, successful tree climbing, like any other worthwhile activity, teaches children to be self-reliant, capable, problem solvers. And kids who climb trees end up learning, first hand, about one of the wonders God has created in our world.

What would we do without trees? They provide shade on a hot day, protection from the wind, food and shelter for animals and people, and a natural jungle gym. Thank you, God, for making trees--and children to climb them.

The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground – 
trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. 

Genesis 2:9a