It doesn't really matter

If you know the song,

Or if you know the words,

Or even if you know the tune.

What really matters is knowing

That the trees are singing at all.

— Mattie Stepanek

Many people experience peace, inspiration and renewal from just "being with" a tree. Can a tree actually inspire people and bestow healing qualities to them?

Yes! According to fact and folklore, history and modern science, our leafy friends also serve as teachers, healers, way-showers and even spirit menders.

Folklore is rich with the magical properties of trees. The Spirit of Trees, an educational organization, tells us that, "In many tales, a tree serves as teacher or guardian of the truth. Trees appear in dreams. They sing and talk. They offer consolation and convey special powers. Characters who sit under a tree or climb up into a tree are suddenly inspired to set out on a journey or receive a decisive insight."

History discloses that while sitting under a Bodhi tree, Buddha received enlightenment that helped raise the consciousness of millions of people. Could the tree have played a part in the spiritual awakening of Buddha?

According to sacred texts, trees were believed to possess the attributes of divine power and intelligence. Due to people's reverence for trees, highly illumined philosophers and priests possessing these divine qualities were often referred to as "trees" or "tree men.