The Life Cycle of Trees: A Gardener’s Manual
(Note: I am changing the title of these from Writer’s Exercises to Fiction, as they are not always inspired by the list found here.)
All trees begin life as no more than a seed. Buried deep in the ground, encased in a hard shell the small soul has much work to do. Awakening is not a process to be rushed. Each species of tree goes through a slightly different process, but all experience the push to grow. There is an urging to stretch the fibrous centers to crack the shell and head to the light. The soul inside is only too willing to give into this urge.
The seedling experiences a range of new sensations from the moment it’s seedling arms come forth. The tiny soul goes through a process in which it can only be reactionary. There are so many new sensations for it: light, heat, wind, mist, chill and rain. It is a sensory overload that can take some time to pass.
The period just after the growth of the “true leaves’ ‘ or when the tree obtains its first set of adult limbs is its first true danger phase. The number of troubles it may endure are endless. The tree may become covered in pests or worse still, a lunch for those pests. The tree is still tender and delicate and is a very tasty open for many creatures. In this stage of life, the tree learns about endurance.
Once the bark grows thick enough to be properly called a trunk, the tree is ready to be called a Sapling. Most trees feel this stage takes forever to be through. You can liken it to adolescence. This is a period of great learning for the tree, and the proceeding few decades will be spent in quiet observation and learning.
The next phase is arguably one of the most dangerous in the life of a tree. When they have grown and hardened enough to gain the attention of humans, they must be on guard. Humans use trees for many things. Their homes, furnishings, tools and more, all made with the corpse of a tree. This is also the phase of max reproduction, and all trees of any species begin serious efforts to further the forest and expand the land held by trees. Each generation spreads their seed, the saplings claiming more territory.
Occasionally humans, armed with their blades, weaken the ranks of the tree militia. They cut down the ones outside of the designated space, or the ones deemed of “good quality”. So, the trees are ever replacing their fallen brethren.
After a time, and no one except for the trees truly knows why, the tree leaves the militia. No one stops him, and he retains communication with his allies through their entwined roots in the soil. It is suspected that once one has spread as much as it is able, and learned as much knowledge as one tree can hold, it becomes an elder or a guardian. Certainly, some magnificent trees could be called nothing other than sentinels, their branches reaching so far, they must see everything. It is no wonder smaller trees hope to grow around them. The font of wisdom each tree represents would be a blessing to any student.
Then, after a century or two, at the end of its life the consciousness it has displayed for years will simply begin to fade. It is going to sleep, back in the earth. This is a relatively quick process, when compared to the other life stages. The kingdom of Mycelium knows when they are needed. They begin the breakdown with ease. The tree allows this breakdown, letting its memories seep through its roots to the soil below. The Mycelium people feed deeply, converting old wood into new ground.
Ready for the next seed.
C.M. Wellsmore 