I love trees. My editor is a tree hugger. I have pictures of her hugging a willow in Regents’ Park, London. Trees house and support insects and wildlife. They keep soil from eroding and, depending on the tree, protect us from wind, rain, snow, and excess sunlight. Stephen Murphy used many trees to make his home. He now plants, prunes, and nurtures them.
I’m inspired by trees. The sounds the wind makes going through them is comforting. The creaks and groans they make are unique and eerie. At Ravens’ Rook, we named the trees we planted. Ruler is the red maple in the front yard, and Old Timer is the ginkgo in the back garden. I have adopted a massive oak that I can see from my office window. I call him Harry. Why? He looks like a Harry. He is the tallest of the mighty trees east of my house. He has so much personality. Am I nuts to find more there than bark and leaves? Only a fellow tree lover could tell you for sure.
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