Maria Lisa Polegatto - March 2024
Design credit: Polegatto, M.L.
Genius Hour Project: The Interconnectedness of Acorns, Ecosystems and Humanity
Introduction. I am no genius but that is the benefit of a genius hour project to get us out of our mindset and into creativity. I love hiking with my dogs and the forest is one of our paths to resilience. Trees are but one of the commodities we rob from the earth for our own benefit without much thought toward the species it leaves homeless, including the loss of parent trees to tree communities.
For Genius Hour, we do not need people that are genius’, we just need people to act on ideas we are passionate about. We need more people in the world to help the environment grow and flourish for its own benefit and all species on earth. I am passionate about nature and have a deep connection with nature and species wanting to help them survive in this complicated world. Do you have any ideas you are passionate about that can help the planet’s survival for future generations? There are many ways to be sustainable for the benefit of the planet. Trees are one of them.
Trees are known as the “lungs of the planet” (New York Times Events, 2022) with an estimated uniqueness of “tree richness of approximately ∼73,300 species” globally of which approximately “∼9,200 tree species” may yet to be discovered (PNAS, 2022). These numbers are suggested through the combination of the “Global Forest Biodiversity Initiative [GFBI]”, based on global forest plots comprised of “∼38 million trees for 28,192 species”, with the dataset of “TREECHANGE” (PNAS, 2022). These estimates comprise of “more than 44 million individual trees” located at over “100,000 sites in 90 countries” (Dunham, 2022).
Trees are known as the “lungs of the planet” (New York Times Events, 2022) with an estimated uniqueness of “tree richness of approximately ∼73,300 species” globally of which approximately “∼9,200 tree species” may yet to be discovered (PNAS, 2022). These numbers are suggested through the combination of the “Global Forest Biodiversity Initiative [GFBI]”, based on global forest plots comprised of “∼38 million trees for 28,192 species”, with the dataset of “TREECHANGE” (PNAS, 2022). These estimates comprise of “more than 44 million individual trees” located at over “100,000 sites in 90 countries” (Dunham, 2022).
The number of tree species and individuals per continent in the GFBI database. This dataset (blue points in the central map) was used for the parametric estimation and merged with the TREECHANGE occurrence-based data (purple points in the central map) to provide the estimates in this study. Green areas represent the global tree cover. GFBI consists of abundance-based records of ∼38 million trees for 28,192 species. Depicted here are some of the most frequent species recorded in each continent. Some GFBI and TREECHANGE points may overlap in the map (credit: PNAS, 2022).
Globally, the benefit of trees and forests include:
- clean water
- safe mountain slopes
- habitat for many animals
- fungi and other plants
- the most biodiverse terrestrial ecosystems
- sinks for our excess of carbon dioxide
- depurators of our polluted air” (Dunham, 2022)
- hunting, fishing, and tourism industries (Government of Canada, 2022)
- traffic safety
- benefits to fish for shade, roots and branches for habitat and hiding from predators
- forestry employment such as “foresters, arborists, lumber, research, tree workers”
- recreation
- tourist attractions
- shade for parking lots and streets
- protection of crops
- blocking of snow, wind and less attractive views
- hospital patients heal better with a window view of trees (Urban Forestry Network. n.d.), and
- providing “inspiration, relaxation, spirituality” and “the meaning of life” (Dunham, 2022).
"There is so much more we need to learn about the Earth so we can
better protect it and conserve natural resources for future generations"
(Dunham, 2022).
better protect it and conserve natural resources for future generations"
(Dunham, 2022).
Globally, human population in urban areas are increasing while rural population is decreasing resulting in declining “lifestyles for many individuals in terms of biology, psychology, management, and other aspects” due to the deficiency of human contact with “nature or the natural environment” which results in a “natural deficit” due to spending more time indoors (Ha, 2023) with studies suggesting Americans spend approximately 90% of their time inside (Sundermann et al, 2023).
"Cardiovascular disease, cancer, obesity, and liver disease” are connected to “sedentary lifestyles, exposure to carcinogenic agents, and the overuse of alcohol and recreational drugs” and health programs would help mitigate the global health crisis (Vermeesch, 2024).
“Technostress” is another global issue such as constant phone use and the obsession of being constantly connected to technology (Qing, 2023) causing eye strain from the blue light of technology.
Stress can provoke nearly all “non-communicable diseases, such as cancers, hypertension, depression, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, gastric ulcer, obesity, alcoholism, panic disorder, eating disorder” (Qing, 2022).
"Cardiovascular disease, cancer, obesity, and liver disease” are connected to “sedentary lifestyles, exposure to carcinogenic agents, and the overuse of alcohol and recreational drugs” and health programs would help mitigate the global health crisis (Vermeesch, 2024).
“Technostress” is another global issue such as constant phone use and the obsession of being constantly connected to technology (Qing, 2023) causing eye strain from the blue light of technology.
Stress can provoke nearly all “non-communicable diseases, such as cancers, hypertension, depression, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, gastric ulcer, obesity, alcoholism, panic disorder, eating disorder” (Qing, 2022).
 Urban area (Photo credit: Canva) |  Technostress noted in Qing, 2022 (Photo credit: Canva) |  Sedentary lifestyle noted in Vermeesch, 2024 (Photo credit: Canva) |
Trees. I grew up in Marion Bridge, Nova Scotia, Canada. We lived in the country and had many trees on our property and my grandfather's lands that were behind us has acres of trees. My mother's favorite trees were the white paper birch trees on our property. We also planted trees. swung in the them, made tree houses, tasted them, walked through them, used them for Christmas trees and more.
Trees are “defined as a woody, perennial plant that grows to a height of at least 4.5 metres (Tree Canada, 2022). Trees are also known as intelligent green “molecular machines” capable of “farming the photons of the sun” (New York Times Events, 2022). Trees can be distinguished as being “conifer or deciduous” with conifers being “evergreens or needle-leaved trees” and “known as softwoods” and deciduous trees being “broadleaf trees because most shed their leaves in autumn” and “known as hardwoods” (Tree Canada, 2022). Latin names are often used for trees because English names can change between different regions (Tree Canada, 2022). Trees can help mitigate against drought, extreme heat, and flooding” with deciduous trees being effective fire breaks (Wood for the Trees, 2022).
Trees are “defined as a woody, perennial plant that grows to a height of at least 4.5 metres (Tree Canada, 2022). Trees are also known as intelligent green “molecular machines” capable of “farming the photons of the sun” (New York Times Events, 2022). Trees can be distinguished as being “conifer or deciduous” with conifers being “evergreens or needle-leaved trees” and “known as softwoods” and deciduous trees being “broadleaf trees because most shed their leaves in autumn” and “known as hardwoods” (Tree Canada, 2022). Latin names are often used for trees because English names can change between different regions (Tree Canada, 2022). Trees can help mitigate against drought, extreme heat, and flooding” with deciduous trees being effective fire breaks (Wood for the Trees, 2022).
 Conifers trees/softwood trees (credit: Canva) |  Deciduous trees/hardwood trees (credit: Canva) |
Trees are also vital ecologically, socially, economically and to life in both rural and urban settings (Tree Canada, 2022) environments providing:
Research suggests “100 mature trees intercept approximately 100,000 gallons of rainfall” each year and “with every 5 percent of tree cover added to a community, storm water runoff is reduced by approximately 2 percent” and the evaporation from one single large tree can create a “cooling effect of 10 room-sized air conditioners operating 24 hours a day” (Urban Forestry Network, n.d.). Energy savings in communities can also “reduce air pollutants produced by power plants” (Urban Forestry Network. (n.d.).
The “greenhouse effect” is caused by earth’s heat being “trapped in the atmosphere due to high levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other heat-trapping gases that prohibit it from releasing the heat into space (Urban Forestry Network. (n.d.). Trees help sequester “CO2 from the atmosphere during photosynthesis to form carbohydrates that are used in plant structure/function and return oxygen back into the atmosphere as a by-product” to alleviate the greenhouse effect (Urban Forestry Network, n.d.) and allow species to breathe.
“Young trees absorb CO2 at a rate of 13 pounds per tree each year” but trees approximate 10 years old “are estimated to absorb 48 pounds of CO2 per year” when they can “release enough oxygen back into the atmosphere to support two human beings” (Urban Forestry Network, n.d.).
Combining “CO2 removal from the atmosphere, carbon storage in wood and the cooling effect makes trees extremely efficient tools in fighting the greenhouse effect” suggesting tree planting as “one of the most cost-effective means of drawing excess CO2 from the atmosphere” (Urban Forestry Network, n.d.).
Imagine if “every American family planted one tree, the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere would be reduced by one billion pounds annually” equating to “almost 5 percent of the amount that human activity pumps into the atmosphere each year” (Urban Forestry Network, n.d.).
It is suggested a tree over “a 50-year lifespan” would generate approximately
Trees also remove other gaseous pollutants through the stomata in the leaf surface by absorbing them with normal air components. Some of the other major air pollutants and their primary sources are:
Studies suggest in an urban park, tree cover removed:
Trees are certainly working hard keeping ecosystems healthy as humanity works hard to keep up with life, expenses, consumerism, economic fluctuations and the destruction of the planet (Polegatto, 2020).
- value in scenic value
- property value,
- air quality (lower air temperature through shade, increase humidity, influence wind speed, reduce glare, block cold winds)
- water quality
- reduction in energy costs
- increase in water retention to reduce local flooding
- influence water flow
- reduction in topsoil erosion from leaf canopy
- slows water runoff
- assists to replenish groundwater
- reduction of harmful nutrients in water ecology and quality by tree roots,
- leaf decay forms organic matter for water percolation
- reduction of noise levels
- wildlife habitat (decayed bacteria and fungi provides nesting areas for birds and provides “soil fertility and structure for furrowing”)
- wildlife food (“Flowers, fruits, leaves, buds and woody parts of trees”)
- diversity of plant species
- assist the health of aquatic ecosystems (“habitat, shelter and food” for aquatic species such as turtles, otters, beavers and fish”)
- buffer zones
- reduce greenhouse gas
- community pride, and
- positive consumer behavior (Urban Forestry Network. n.d.).
Research suggests “100 mature trees intercept approximately 100,000 gallons of rainfall” each year and “with every 5 percent of tree cover added to a community, storm water runoff is reduced by approximately 2 percent” and the evaporation from one single large tree can create a “cooling effect of 10 room-sized air conditioners operating 24 hours a day” (Urban Forestry Network, n.d.). Energy savings in communities can also “reduce air pollutants produced by power plants” (Urban Forestry Network. (n.d.).
The “greenhouse effect” is caused by earth’s heat being “trapped in the atmosphere due to high levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other heat-trapping gases that prohibit it from releasing the heat into space (Urban Forestry Network. (n.d.). Trees help sequester “CO2 from the atmosphere during photosynthesis to form carbohydrates that are used in plant structure/function and return oxygen back into the atmosphere as a by-product” to alleviate the greenhouse effect (Urban Forestry Network, n.d.) and allow species to breathe.
“Young trees absorb CO2 at a rate of 13 pounds per tree each year” but trees approximate 10 years old “are estimated to absorb 48 pounds of CO2 per year” when they can “release enough oxygen back into the atmosphere to support two human beings” (Urban Forestry Network, n.d.).
Combining “CO2 removal from the atmosphere, carbon storage in wood and the cooling effect makes trees extremely efficient tools in fighting the greenhouse effect” suggesting tree planting as “one of the most cost-effective means of drawing excess CO2 from the atmosphere” (Urban Forestry Network, n.d.).
Imagine if “every American family planted one tree, the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere would be reduced by one billion pounds annually” equating to “almost 5 percent of the amount that human activity pumps into the atmosphere each year” (Urban Forestry Network, n.d.).
It is suggested a tree over “a 50-year lifespan” would generate approximately
- “$32,000 worth of oxygen”…
- $62,000 worth of air pollution control…..
- recycling $37,500 worth of water and controlling
- $31,000 worth of soil erosion (Urban Forestry Network, n.d.) and with the current rise in inflation those values would be much higher.
Trees also remove other gaseous pollutants through the stomata in the leaf surface by absorbing them with normal air components. Some of the other major air pollutants and their primary sources are:
- Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) –coal burning, refining and the combustion of petroleum products;
- Ozone (O3) –exists in the upper atmosphere brought to Earth by turbulence during severe storms lightning, automobile and industrial emissions that “undergo photochemical reactions in sunlight releasing ozone and another oxidant, peroxyacetylnitrate (PAN)”;
- Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) –automotive exhaust;
- Particulates –“smoke from burning fuel, particularly diesel” which can cause respiratory problems but with the presence of trees, “there is up to a 60 percent reduction in street-level particulates” (Urban Forestry Network, n.d.).
Studies suggest in an urban park, tree cover removed:
- “48 pounds of particulates
- 9 pounds of nitrogen dioxide
- 6 pounds of sulfur dioxide
- 0.5 pounds of carbon monoxide and
- 100 pounds of carbon – daily” (Urban Forestry Network, n.d.
Trees are certainly working hard keeping ecosystems healthy as humanity works hard to keep up with life, expenses, consumerism, economic fluctuations and the destruction of the planet (Polegatto, 2020).
 Urban Park (credit: Canva) |  Sugar Maple Tree (credit: Canva) |
Interconnectedness of Trees In and With Ecosystems.
While we think of trees connecting with the land and air, they interconnect globally with the ocean ecosystem too. Mangroves, for instance, can grow on seawater on the fringe of tropical shorelines, shelter wildlife, protect over “3,000 fish species” of which many are important commercially, can sequester as much as 10 times carbon pollution as rainforests per hectare with their roots anchoring shorelines, protecting them from storm waves, more so even than concrete sea walls (Sala, 2020). Trees carry iron to the oceans which is the “foundation of the marine food chain (TVO Today Docs, 2023).
A forest functions as a “complex form of life” that is interconnected by the flora within it along with mammals, amphibians, and insects (Heath, 2020). Deeper still it is held in place by “fungi, algae, lichens, bacteria, viruses, and bacteriophages” with the “primogenitors of the forests” being the trees that “communicate by carbon-coded calls and mass-market” by infrasound (Heath, 2020). The vastness of earth’s atmosphere bonds the forest with the air and ocean with us as humanity connected in that “web of life” (Heath, 2020). Globally forests are “international treasures” of “a living cathedral of nature” and places of silent refugee (Heath, 2020), atmosphere, beautiful scenery, mild climate, and clean fresh air (Wen, 2023).
While we think of trees connecting with the land and air, they interconnect globally with the ocean ecosystem too. Mangroves, for instance, can grow on seawater on the fringe of tropical shorelines, shelter wildlife, protect over “3,000 fish species” of which many are important commercially, can sequester as much as 10 times carbon pollution as rainforests per hectare with their roots anchoring shorelines, protecting them from storm waves, more so even than concrete sea walls (Sala, 2020). Trees carry iron to the oceans which is the “foundation of the marine food chain (TVO Today Docs, 2023).
A forest functions as a “complex form of life” that is interconnected by the flora within it along with mammals, amphibians, and insects (Heath, 2020). Deeper still it is held in place by “fungi, algae, lichens, bacteria, viruses, and bacteriophages” with the “primogenitors of the forests” being the trees that “communicate by carbon-coded calls and mass-market” by infrasound (Heath, 2020). The vastness of earth’s atmosphere bonds the forest with the air and ocean with us as humanity connected in that “web of life” (Heath, 2020). Globally forests are “international treasures” of “a living cathedral of nature” and places of silent refugee (Heath, 2020), atmosphere, beautiful scenery, mild climate, and clean fresh air (Wen, 2023).
 Mangrove (credit: Canva) |  Oceans and trees interconnect (credit: Canva) |
(Photo credit: Canva) Ecological Shield.
I have always called trees "wisdom holders". I love to go into my back yard and hug my trees. You really need to go outside and hug a tree if you haven't done so. Yes, you will feel silly at first but do not give in to that feeling. Give it a good long hug and hold on for a good few minutes. The longer you hug the tree the more comfortable you will feel. It is alive and growing like you.
While looking at pictures of nature can be refreshing and beautiful, there is no replacement for being in nature and experiencing firsthand the stimulation to your senses and spirituality of being there in person. Having nature in my home and having gardens is a way to keep nature close when I can not take a journey to the forest and ocean. There are many benefits to being in the forest ecosystem beyond its beauty and benefits of healing ecosystems.
Nature has been known as a “source of healing” for many decades and is increasingly leading to it being a “form of medicine, both as a complementary therapy and as a preventative measure” (Sundermann et al, 2023). While we are more connected through technology to others, as a result we are more disconnected from others, ourselves and nature leading to suffering physically, mentally, and emotionally (Sundermann et al, 2023).
Trees have medicinal properties with “1 of 4 pharmaceutical products being plant based”, such as yew tree extracts for “chemotherapy drugs (“Taxol”), aspirin and creams” (Urban Forestry Network, n.d.). All trees or plants release “phytoncides” and other substances into the air (Ha, 2023). Phytoncides are defined as “natural volatile compounds emitted by trees and plants as a form of self-defense against insects and other harmful organisms” (Sundermann et al, 2023). These phytoncides help “trees fight diseases” (Ha, 2023), are responsible for the forest and the natural environment’s “distinct smell” (Sundermann et al, 2023), perform like “vitamins and play a role in improving immunity and preventing cancer in humans”, help clean the “ecosystem and maintain human health by removing impurities from the air” with the highest amount of phytoncides being “produced by certain trees such as Japanese cypress, Korean fir, pine, cedar, oak, and tea trees” (Ha, 2023). “Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica)” has “volatile compounds such as D-limonene and alpha-pinene” which improve “sleep, anxiety, and discomfort”, while inhaling “limonene and pinene”…..have anti-inflammatory effects (Sundermann et al, 2023).
I have always called trees "wisdom holders". I love to go into my back yard and hug my trees. You really need to go outside and hug a tree if you haven't done so. Yes, you will feel silly at first but do not give in to that feeling. Give it a good long hug and hold on for a good few minutes. The longer you hug the tree the more comfortable you will feel. It is alive and growing like you.
While looking at pictures of nature can be refreshing and beautiful, there is no replacement for being in nature and experiencing firsthand the stimulation to your senses and spirituality of being there in person. Having nature in my home and having gardens is a way to keep nature close when I can not take a journey to the forest and ocean. There are many benefits to being in the forest ecosystem beyond its beauty and benefits of healing ecosystems.
Nature has been known as a “source of healing” for many decades and is increasingly leading to it being a “form of medicine, both as a complementary therapy and as a preventative measure” (Sundermann et al, 2023). While we are more connected through technology to others, as a result we are more disconnected from others, ourselves and nature leading to suffering physically, mentally, and emotionally (Sundermann et al, 2023).
Trees have medicinal properties with “1 of 4 pharmaceutical products being plant based”, such as yew tree extracts for “chemotherapy drugs (“Taxol”), aspirin and creams” (Urban Forestry Network, n.d.). All trees or plants release “phytoncides” and other substances into the air (Ha, 2023). Phytoncides are defined as “natural volatile compounds emitted by trees and plants as a form of self-defense against insects and other harmful organisms” (Sundermann et al, 2023). These phytoncides help “trees fight diseases” (Ha, 2023), are responsible for the forest and the natural environment’s “distinct smell” (Sundermann et al, 2023), perform like “vitamins and play a role in improving immunity and preventing cancer in humans”, help clean the “ecosystem and maintain human health by removing impurities from the air” with the highest amount of phytoncides being “produced by certain trees such as Japanese cypress, Korean fir, pine, cedar, oak, and tea trees” (Ha, 2023). “Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica)” has “volatile compounds such as D-limonene and alpha-pinene” which improve “sleep, anxiety, and discomfort”, while inhaling “limonene and pinene”…..have anti-inflammatory effects (Sundermann et al, 2023).
 Cypress |  Fir |  Pine |  Cedar |  Oak |
(Photo credits: Canva)
The human immune system includes natural killer (NK) cells that play a critical role in “defense against bacteria, viruses and tumors” and stress negatively affects immune function (Qing, 2022). It has been suggested a walk in the forest, as opposed to the city, substantially increases “human NK activity and the numbers of NK cells and the amplified “NK activity lasted for more than 7 days” after journeys to forests for both male and female” (Qing, 2022). Phytoncide also reduced “anxiety, depression, anger, fatigue and confusion” and increased vigor and “level of serotonin in serum” (Qing, 2022). The “ecological shield” of the forest sterilizes the atmosphere (New York Times Events, 2022).
While there is not a set standard for nature dosage, it is suggested “20-30 minute minimum intervals with an accumulation of at least 120 minutes every week” and when exercise is included, there are intensified “synergistic benefits” (Sundermann et al, 2023).
While there is not a set standard for nature dosage, it is suggested “20-30 minute minimum intervals with an accumulation of at least 120 minutes every week” and when exercise is included, there are intensified “synergistic benefits” (Sundermann et al, 2023).
Exercise in nature for synergistic benefits as noted in Sundermann et al, 2023 (Photo credit: Canva)
Forest Bathing. Have you ever walked in the forest and came home feeling refreshed and slept well that night? I love my time in nature with my dogs. My Dad’s favorite place was in the forest so I think of him every time I walk among the trees. The forest can invite and entertain all your senses. Seeing rays of sunlight beam toward the earth through the leaves of trees can be inspiring. Forests have brooks and streams that bubble and flow you can usually hear before you see them. The aroma of the earthy scents in the forest is addictive from wildflowers, berries, tree sap and moss. Picking and eating blueberries, strawberries and cranberries is one of my favorite forest activities and seeing all the different mushrooms, moss and lichens growing on trees. I like to call birch bark rolls ancient writing paper as I pick it up and look at how delicate and precious it is.
One of the things I always notice when being in the forest is how it makes me feel connected like I am at home surrounded by nature. It is a journey into nature each time with resilience unknown outside the forest. Hugging a tree seems so natural to say thank you for all the forest has to offer.
One of the things I always notice when being in the forest is how it makes me feel connected like I am at home surrounded by nature. It is a journey into nature each time with resilience unknown outside the forest. Hugging a tree seems so natural to say thank you for all the forest has to offer.
How I go to the wood
Ordinarily, I go to the woods alone, with not a single
friend, for they are all smilers and talkers and therefore
unsuitable.
I don’t really want to be witnessed talking to the catbirds
or hugging the old black oak tree. I have my way of
praying, as you no doubt have yours.
Besides, when I am alone I can become invisible. I can sit
on the top of a dune as motionless as an uprise of weeds,
until the foxes run by unconcerned. I can hear the almost
unhearable sound of the roses singing.
If you have ever gone to the woods with me, I must love
you very much. Mary Oliver
Ordinarily, I go to the woods alone, with not a single
friend, for they are all smilers and talkers and therefore
unsuitable.
I don’t really want to be witnessed talking to the catbirds
or hugging the old black oak tree. I have my way of
praying, as you no doubt have yours.
Besides, when I am alone I can become invisible. I can sit
on the top of a dune as motionless as an uprise of weeds,
until the foxes run by unconcerned. I can hear the almost
unhearable sound of the roses singing.
If you have ever gone to the woods with me, I must love
you very much. Mary Oliver
I can relate to this poem, but I highly suggest you do not go into the forest alone and always let someone know where you are going. Learning how to read a compass is a great tool as it is easy to get turned around in the forest and lost. Knowing how to build a shelter is another good skill and having proper clothing, and items with you. Have your phone charged up so you can call 911 for help can be vital for survival so 911 can ping your location to find you. Connect with your local search and rescue group who teach valuable skills to their members.
Going into nature does not necessarily mean you need to go deep into nature. Find a familiar area that you enjoy. If you are in the city, find a green space in a park with trees. In rural areas, you should not need to go far to find trees.
Going into nature does not necessarily mean you need to go deep into nature. Find a familiar area that you enjoy. If you are in the city, find a green space in a park with trees. In rural areas, you should not need to go far to find trees.
 Compass (Photo credit: Canva) |  (Photo credit: Canva) |
“Shinrin-yoku” (Japanese) means “forest bathing” or “taking in the forest atmosphere” (Sundermann et al, 2023). Forest bathing is a type of human activity such as “walking, meditation, recreation, and cognitive behavior” in forest ecosystems “to improve human health and welfare” which in winter has higher benefits than forest bathing in spring (Ha, 2023) and is akin to a “molecular picnic” or taking a bath in the “medicinal aerosols” in the atmosphere of the forest (Call of the Forest, n.d.).
Originally forest bathing started as a “traditional Japanese practice” of “mindfully using all 5 senses” in the 1980s to promote mindfulness practice for people in urban areas to reduce work-related stress with people immersing in “densely forested areas with waterfalls” (Vermeesch, 2024).
Originally forest bathing started as a “traditional Japanese practice” of “mindfully using all 5 senses” in the 1980s to promote mindfulness practice for people in urban areas to reduce work-related stress with people immersing in “densely forested areas with waterfalls” (Vermeesch, 2024).
 Waterfall (Photo credit: Canva) |  Waterfall (Photo credit: Canva) |
An ecosystem is defined as a biological community in which plants, animals, and other organisms interact with their physical environments”, provides goods such as “food, timber, and water” and services such as “air purification and water supply” for global life support, providing “air, water, recreation, and habitat, among other elements” (Ha, 2023). Having a sound ecosystem is vital or forest bathing would not be effective (Ha, 2023).
Forest bathing has been used as a complementary treatment for relief of psychological
The physical benefits of forest batng include:
Also, forest bathing may promote an experience of a “higher power” of spiritual connection with nature through the perceptions of “awe” and “wonder” and as a “therapeutic modality” may improve:
Neither “gender, culture, education, marital status, economic status, nor age” affected studies on forest bathing (Vermeesch, 2024). Studies showed time in either the forest or “experiencing it virtually produced health benefits in as low as 15 minutes (Vermeesch, 2024)
Forest bathing is a “multidisciplinary research field” that includes:
Forest bathing is an inexpensive health intervention with increasing numbers of “health care providers prescribing nature-based programs” (Vermeesch, 2024). There are many benefits correlated with spending time in forests, with various tree species, “mountains, plants, flowers, urban green spaces, rivers, and parks” (Vermeesch, 2024). Compared to fields, forests have better vitality for improved well being emotionally (Sundermann et al, 2023). Forest bathing displays health effects for various genders and specifically “increases the psychological well-being of males and the physiological well-being of females” (Wen, 2023).
Forest bathing as a holistic approach to promoting human well-being has many benefits, such as:
Forest bathing has been used as a complementary treatment for relief of psychological
- stress
- mood improvement
- decreasing depression
- “anxiety, emotional imbalance, or other conditions for health" benefits (Ha, 2023), including grief, isolation and anger, fatigue, sense of well being (Vermeesch, 2024),
- enhancing the immune system
- protection from COVID-19, and
- to avoid “emergencies such as pandemics, pollution, and traffic accidents” (Ha, 2023).
The physical benefits of forest batng include:
- “improved immune function/cancer prevention
- decreased pulse rate and BP
- protection of the respiratory system
- decreased stress responses” and
- “brain activity and autonomic nervous activity” (Vermeesch, 2024).
Also, forest bathing may promote an experience of a “higher power” of spiritual connection with nature through the perceptions of “awe” and “wonder” and as a “therapeutic modality” may improve:
- “energy and happiness levels
- improve sleep quality
- reduce the inflammation response
- reduce chances of obesity, and
- accelerate surgical recovery time” (Vermeesch, 2024).
Neither “gender, culture, education, marital status, economic status, nor age” affected studies on forest bathing (Vermeesch, 2024). Studies showed time in either the forest or “experiencing it virtually produced health benefits in as low as 15 minutes (Vermeesch, 2024)
Forest bathing is a “multidisciplinary research field” that includes:
- “forest genetics and breeding
- forest protection
- public policy
- physiology
- psychology
- medical science
- management, and
- other fields” (Ha, 2023).
Forest bathing is an inexpensive health intervention with increasing numbers of “health care providers prescribing nature-based programs” (Vermeesch, 2024). There are many benefits correlated with spending time in forests, with various tree species, “mountains, plants, flowers, urban green spaces, rivers, and parks” (Vermeesch, 2024). Compared to fields, forests have better vitality for improved well being emotionally (Sundermann et al, 2023). Forest bathing displays health effects for various genders and specifically “increases the psychological well-being of males and the physiological well-being of females” (Wen, 2023).
Forest bathing as a holistic approach to promoting human well-being has many benefits, such as:
- “Reduced stress and activity in the amygdala” (part of the brain): “forest bathing reduces blood pressure and the stress hormone, cortisol”, including “relaxation, decreased heart rate, improved positive feelings and lower negative feelings, and a re-balancing of the nervous system by decreasing sympathetic activity and increasing parasympathetic activity”, suggesting a “one-hour walk in nature decreased amygdala activation vs no change with a walk in an urban area”;
- “Boosted immune system”: “positive effects on immune function lasting from 7 to 30 days post-exposure for natural killer (NK) cells and others central to immune defense against cancer and viruses” by using the human senses and nature’s phytoncides;
- “Non-communicable diseases”: “reduce risk of chronic diseases, with evidence for lowering heart rate and blood pressure, type 2 diabetes with lowering blood sugar, and stress reduction”;
- “Covid-19: Boosting immune function and lowering stress”;
- “Mental health and addiction”: powerful impact on mental health” such as “significantly elevated serotonin levels, increased measures of vigor, reduced fatigue, improved sleep” and “reductions in negativity, rumination, and anxiety, nature exposure is accomplishing “negative affect repair”; “Healthcare worker burnout”: “development of feelings of connectedness, helpfulness, and generosity, through nature’s power to invoke “transcendent wonder and amazement”;
- “Sub-Health”: “symptoms such as poor sleep, forgetfulness, chronic pain, and fatigue” (Sundermann et al, 2023).
Nature reminds us to rest when tired,
enjoy every breath, and be grateful for everything that happens
(Vermeesch, 2024).
enjoy every breath, and be grateful for everything that happens
(Vermeesch, 2024).
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Photo credits: Canva
Developing nations have forest bathing practices, such as:
Developed Nations also have forest bathing practices, such as:
Internationally,
Unfortunately, biodiversity or the diversity of ecosystems has decreased considerably globally; however, the prerequisite for successful forest bathing is dependant upon the biodiversity of the number and type of trees (Ha, 2023).
Children, youth to approximately 20 years of age, have an inherent ability to understand the environment with an Irish prophecy suggesting children will educate their parents about climate change (New York Times Events, 2022). By telling stories to our descendants, we can ensure trees and the outside environment are not forgotten.
- Africa (Fanie Botha Hiking Trail) “as a scientific way of addressing health issues”;
- Turkey has “distinctive forest bathing in different climates”;
- Slovakia for “health enhancement, environmental protection, and ecotourism”; and
- Malaysia (Borneo rainforests) are the “oldest rainforests in the world” with higher numbers of “tree species than those in North America” (Ha, 2023).
Developed Nations also have forest bathing practices, such as:
- Japan that understands “the intimate relationship between health and nature” from a “physiologic perspective”;
- Germany has combined the holistic “Kneipp therapy” for “various long-term diseases” using “five pillars: herbs, water, nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle balance”, including “forest bathing during cold-water immersion”;
- California (USA) since approximately 2010;
- State of Victoria in Australia has forests, verdant parks, arboretums, and gardens for forest bathing; and
- Finland enjoys nature with “Hanko, finding food in the wild” (Ha, 2023).
Internationally,
- Goal 3 of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) cites the “importance of not only human health but also related well-being worldwide”;
- World Health Organization (WHO) which is “a specialized agency under the UN” encourages “beneficial functions of nature in human health”, spending time in the natural environment as a cure for people with mental disorders;
- International Nature and Forest Therapy Alliance (INFTA) suggests “forest therapy with research institutions, healthcare providers, and educational bodies”;
- Forest Bathing International (FOBI) has “organized international conferences in North America to train forest therapy practitioners and guides”; and
- Forest Therapy in Africa operate for “related certification, training, and retreats in the region by referring to indigenous knowledge” (Ha, 2023).
Unfortunately, biodiversity or the diversity of ecosystems has decreased considerably globally; however, the prerequisite for successful forest bathing is dependant upon the biodiversity of the number and type of trees (Ha, 2023).
Children, youth to approximately 20 years of age, have an inherent ability to understand the environment with an Irish prophecy suggesting children will educate their parents about climate change (New York Times Events, 2022). By telling stories to our descendants, we can ensure trees and the outside environment are not forgotten.
“Every child should have mud pies, grasshoppers, water bugs, tadpoles,
frogs,mud turtles, elderberries, wild strawberries, acorns, chestnuts, trees to
climb. Brooks to wade, water lilies, woodchucks, bats, bees, butterflies, various animals to pet, hayfields, pine-cones, rocks to roll, sand, snakes, huckleberries
and hornets; and any child who has been deprived of these has been deprived
of the best part of education.” Luther Burbank
frogs,mud turtles, elderberries, wild strawberries, acorns, chestnuts, trees to
climb. Brooks to wade, water lilies, woodchucks, bats, bees, butterflies, various animals to pet, hayfields, pine-cones, rocks to roll, sand, snakes, huckleberries
and hornets; and any child who has been deprived of these has been deprived
of the best part of education.” Luther Burbank
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Photo credits: Canva
Call to Action. My genius hour project is to bring trees to life by offering oak acorns to the community to plant. This will provide oxygen, shade, future acorns to grow more trees, source of hardwood for less fire hazard, flood mitigation, forest bathing, medicinal benefits, natural environment, native species, food for animals and humans, climate change mitigation and conservation of oak tree species. I am passionate about providing nature an offering to replace what we have taken from it. I often pick acorns that fall in my yard for my garden beds but now I can give them life for future generations.
Making an impact on the population of trees can be done by planting acorns to grow into trees; oak tree acorns = oak trees. The acorns I have selected are for bur oak trees (Latin: Quercus macrocarpa; French: Chêne à gros fruits) which are native to Canada and are deciduous trees hardy for zones 3 to 8 (Tree Canada, 2022) and Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada is zone 6a. These trees will later produce more acorns to plant more trees, food for wildlife and humans and many other tree benefits as noted in this article. The Borealis Forest is known as the “workhorse of the planet” (New York Times Events, 2022) being approximately 30,000 years of age. 30% of global forests, that holds a large “tonnage of cold carbon storage in the permafrost of the ground and waterways” being the “mastermind of the world” (TVO Today Docs, 2023).
While we often think of planting trees, we can also start with small actions that can produce large impacts. Acorns are small, able to be put in your pocket, yet can outgrow the height of your house. I have selected some avenues for the planting of the acorns, including those below. No names will be collected.
Since research suggests kids can help adults learn (New York Times Events, 2022), I am suggesting youth plant acorns with adults for educational and conservation purposes. Acorns can be planted in memory of a loved one, marking a special event or simply to have more trees in the world which is vital to the planet and all its inhabitants. You really do not need an excuse to do good for nature. Nature freely does good for the planet and all species everyday.
I am also including with the acorns an affirmation/intention, fun fact or quote I have chosen relating to nature, trees and/or acorns (listed below) and a link to this article with a QR code for further resources will be provided with each acorn. This will go with the acorn with instructions individually wrapped in toilet paper rolls or paper. At first I was going to use burlap but I switched to toilet paper rolls and then paper bags when I ran out of the rolls which is a paper product of trees. Since trees are a natural resource, I am purposely not using any plastic products to provide the acorns to people.
Making an impact on the population of trees can be done by planting acorns to grow into trees; oak tree acorns = oak trees. The acorns I have selected are for bur oak trees (Latin: Quercus macrocarpa; French: Chêne à gros fruits) which are native to Canada and are deciduous trees hardy for zones 3 to 8 (Tree Canada, 2022) and Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada is zone 6a. These trees will later produce more acorns to plant more trees, food for wildlife and humans and many other tree benefits as noted in this article. The Borealis Forest is known as the “workhorse of the planet” (New York Times Events, 2022) being approximately 30,000 years of age. 30% of global forests, that holds a large “tonnage of cold carbon storage in the permafrost of the ground and waterways” being the “mastermind of the world” (TVO Today Docs, 2023).
While we often think of planting trees, we can also start with small actions that can produce large impacts. Acorns are small, able to be put in your pocket, yet can outgrow the height of your house. I have selected some avenues for the planting of the acorns, including those below. No names will be collected.
- Cape Breton Regional Library has been provided with acorns to give away to persons interested in planting an acorn on their property. This will be on a first come, first obtain basis.
- Two Rivers Wildlife Park has been provided with acorns to help replace trees lost in Fiona Hurricane of 2022, provide habitat to wildlife, shade areas and increase the biodiversity of their forest ecosystem. Common Milkweed seeds were also provided to Two Rivers Wildlife Park which are perennial native plants being the main food source for Monarch butterflies with adult butterflies laying their eggs on them. Milkweed is also a valuable food source for 100's of species of insects (Oak Summit Nursery, n.d.) such as bees.
- Local community. I will be providing acorns to people who can benefit from the health benefits of trees for medicinal reasons.
Since research suggests kids can help adults learn (New York Times Events, 2022), I am suggesting youth plant acorns with adults for educational and conservation purposes. Acorns can be planted in memory of a loved one, marking a special event or simply to have more trees in the world which is vital to the planet and all its inhabitants. You really do not need an excuse to do good for nature. Nature freely does good for the planet and all species everyday.
I am also including with the acorns an affirmation/intention, fun fact or quote I have chosen relating to nature, trees and/or acorns (listed below) and a link to this article with a QR code for further resources will be provided with each acorn. This will go with the acorn with instructions individually wrapped in toilet paper rolls or paper. At first I was going to use burlap but I switched to toilet paper rolls and then paper bags when I ran out of the rolls which is a paper product of trees. Since trees are a natural resource, I am purposely not using any plastic products to provide the acorns to people.
 Left: John Evan Huntington, Right: John Huntington, Two Rivers Wildlife Park (Photo credit: Polegatto, M.L.) |  Jannette Vusich, Cape Breton Regional Library, Programs (Photo credit: Polegatto, M.L.) |
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“Planting trees is one small way each of us can help build greener and
healthier communities across Canada” (Tree Canada, 2022).
healthier communities across Canada” (Tree Canada, 2022).
(credit: Oak Summit Nursery)
Acorns. What came first the acorn or the tree? In the case of this project, the acorn. Given this project was started in spring, I did not have a chance to collect local oak acorns as the remaining snow from the 150 cm of snow in February 2024 is not yet melted and acorns are normally gathered in the fall when they fall from the tree. I found oak seeds/acorns to purchase instead of oak seedlings so I could provide more quantity (79 acorns) to the local community. If you wish to purchase oak seeds, I received mine from Oak Summit Nursery. I will plant a small number of the acorns myself to sprout tree seedlings I can pass out in fall also. So far all but one of the 79 acorns have sprouted and I haven't given up on that one as it was ten that did not sprout, then 3, so a bit more time the last one will be growing.
In future, I can pick local acorns in the fall for future planting. If you are unable to plant your acorn right away, you can place it in the fridge for a short time until you are ready to plant it.
The qualities of the bur oak tree include being:
You can place a marker by the acorn you plant so you can easily find the area later.
Planting Instructions from Oak Summit Nursery: “Our seeds are fresh to preserve viability. We recommend keeping them refrigerated for short term storage, and fall planting into prepared seed beds. Keep seeds in the bag, and optionally soak in water for 24 hrs before planting. Sow 1-2" deep and cover with mulch. Add squirrel and rodent protection, like wire mesh. If the weather is warm enough the seeds will germinate and root in the fall, otherwise they'll germinate in the spring” (Oak Summit Nursery. n.d.).
Plant now: Most of the acorns I have provided have already sprouted so if you get an acorn package, please ensure you either place it in your refrigerator for a short period until you plant it outside or plant it in a pot inside and transfer to outside once the frost is out of the ground and place in a permanent location in the fall. Either way do not delay in planting it so it does not dry out and die. Plant 1" to 2" deep in soil with sprout facing upward. Keep in mind the permanent placement should be approx. 20' from buildings and in direct sunlight.
If the tree does not germinate/grow the first year, do not despair, it will likely germinate the second year after another winter. Have patience.
There is no guarantee of acorn growth by any action or statement, verbal or written, express or implied on behalf of, including, but not limited to, Maria Lisa Polegatto, Oak Summit Nursery, Cape Breton Regional Library, Two Rivers Wildlife Park, and/or any of the research presented herein. Nature is full of possibilities but can also be unpredictable.
In future, I can pick local acorns in the fall for future planting. If you are unable to plant your acorn right away, you can place it in the fridge for a short time until you are ready to plant it.
The qualities of the bur oak tree include being:
- a species of white oak tree
- hardy in extreme winters and sandy soil and flood areas
- can reach 200-300 years old
- it is a shade tree
- the mildest of the oak tree species
- can be used as a food source
- excellent wildlife habitat and food
- cold stratification is not required
- you can plant in a pot until fall planting to a permanent location or mulch heavily and store outside over winter in a sheltered area
- the acorns have already been float tested for germination test with a 90% germination rate
You can place a marker by the acorn you plant so you can easily find the area later.
Planting Instructions from Oak Summit Nursery: “Our seeds are fresh to preserve viability. We recommend keeping them refrigerated for short term storage, and fall planting into prepared seed beds. Keep seeds in the bag, and optionally soak in water for 24 hrs before planting. Sow 1-2" deep and cover with mulch. Add squirrel and rodent protection, like wire mesh. If the weather is warm enough the seeds will germinate and root in the fall, otherwise they'll germinate in the spring” (Oak Summit Nursery. n.d.).
Plant now: Most of the acorns I have provided have already sprouted so if you get an acorn package, please ensure you either place it in your refrigerator for a short period until you plant it outside or plant it in a pot inside and transfer to outside once the frost is out of the ground and place in a permanent location in the fall. Either way do not delay in planting it so it does not dry out and die. Plant 1" to 2" deep in soil with sprout facing upward. Keep in mind the permanent placement should be approx. 20' from buildings and in direct sunlight.
If the tree does not germinate/grow the first year, do not despair, it will likely germinate the second year after another winter. Have patience.
There is no guarantee of acorn growth by any action or statement, verbal or written, express or implied on behalf of, including, but not limited to, Maria Lisa Polegatto, Oak Summit Nursery, Cape Breton Regional Library, Two Rivers Wildlife Park, and/or any of the research presented herein. Nature is full of possibilities but can also be unpredictable.
 Photo credit: Polegatto, M.L. |  Photo credit: Canva |
I received the acorns and they are already sprouting!
I know they are viable and ready to plant :) I ordered 72 and they sent me 79 :)
Thank you Oak Summit Nursery!
I know they are viable and ready to plant :) I ordered 72 and they sent me 79 :)
Thank you Oak Summit Nursery!
 The process was real :) from preparing the toilet paper rolls, folding, stuffing, ensuring each package has an acorn and quote, instructions, etc {top). The waste from clipping the toilet paper rolls and toilet paper pieces (bottom left) will go into my compost pile so nothing is wasted. (Photo credit: Polegatto, M.L.) |  The finished process of acorns for delivery including toilet paper roll that you can plant your seed inside with soil and put the whole thing in the ground to grow in a permanent place at least 20' away from buildings, instructions, quote and tied with string. No plastic was used in the packaging. I wanted to keep them natural as trees are :) (Photo credit: Polegatto, M.L.) |
Plant an acorn, plant the future.
Small steps produce big opportunities.
Small steps produce big opportunities.
(Photo credits: Polegatto, M.L.)
Conclusion. With the declining state of healthcare, can humanity afford not to plant trees? Even if you do not like going for walks outside or do not believe in the tree benefits of this research, do you wish to breathe in the future? Trees are our best source of oxygen, sterilizer for toxins in the atmosphere and interconnector to other ecosystems and humanity further providing humanity with stress relief, relaxation and medicinal properties. Trees provide many key lessons we need to celebrate and grow into more trees that reach up to the sky to provide insight and overlook our activities basking in the glory of more nature. The implications of sustainability grow everywhere in nature.
We are all connected from acorns, ecosystems and humanity:
Humanity needs nature and needs to be creative, innovative and act toward sustainable measures to assist nature. Nature needs us to support it. One of the actions we can take is growing more trees. You can start small with acorns to grow future forests of resilience, medicinal benefits, supporting ecosystems and providing beauty and intriguing pathways to our creativity.
There are many ways to plant trees. You can plant them on your own property, give them to others to plant, donate them, give them to charities, give them to schools so youth can plant them with their family. What are your ideas to plant more trees? Go outside when you can and hug a tree to give it thanks for helping you breathe.
I must say after this project, I am now addicted to picking up acorns of all kinds of trees to grow seedlings for more tree families to grow and saving toilet paper rolls so the tree's product does not go to waste and I can use them to grow the seedlings in.
We need to nurture nature the way it nurtures us. We need to dance in the rain under the canopy of trees, hold our arms out and twirl around in nature basking in its glory, play in the puddles, allow nature to grow, replant trees, just be with trees in the forest, surrender to nature, support it, appreciate that it supports and provides for us and inner creativity, nature innovates its own ways to survive in spite of us and for our benefit. Nothing is wasted in nature. It knows how to be sustainable. We have much to learn from nature. Appreciate, give gratitude, hug a tree.
We are all connected from acorns, ecosystems and humanity:
- acorns grow into trees
- trees freely provide oxygen
- oxygen is required by humanity and other species
- we produce carbon dioxide that helps trees
- trees provide an “ecological shield”, remove carbon and other toxins from the atmosphere
- trees help animals and the oceans and air
- ecosystems are interconnected
- we are a part of nature and nature is a part of us
- Trees provide acorns so we can plant more trees.
Humanity needs nature and needs to be creative, innovative and act toward sustainable measures to assist nature. Nature needs us to support it. One of the actions we can take is growing more trees. You can start small with acorns to grow future forests of resilience, medicinal benefits, supporting ecosystems and providing beauty and intriguing pathways to our creativity.
There are many ways to plant trees. You can plant them on your own property, give them to others to plant, donate them, give them to charities, give them to schools so youth can plant them with their family. What are your ideas to plant more trees? Go outside when you can and hug a tree to give it thanks for helping you breathe.
I must say after this project, I am now addicted to picking up acorns of all kinds of trees to grow seedlings for more tree families to grow and saving toilet paper rolls so the tree's product does not go to waste and I can use them to grow the seedlings in.
We need to nurture nature the way it nurtures us. We need to dance in the rain under the canopy of trees, hold our arms out and twirl around in nature basking in its glory, play in the puddles, allow nature to grow, replant trees, just be with trees in the forest, surrender to nature, support it, appreciate that it supports and provides for us and inner creativity, nature innovates its own ways to survive in spite of us and for our benefit. Nothing is wasted in nature. It knows how to be sustainable. We have much to learn from nature. Appreciate, give gratitude, hug a tree.
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(Photo credits: Polegatto, M.L.)
Affirmations/Intentions:
Fun Facts:
Quotes:
- I am connected to and am grateful for nature.
- I am one with nature and all its benefits to heal the inner me.
- Being in nature provides me with a source of resilience.
- I am a part of nature. Nature is a part of me.
- My creativity expands and grows in nature.
- Being in nature provides me a pathway to be creative.
- Squirrels bury acorns. Acorns grow more trees. I am grateful for wildlife and nature.
- I plant this tree as a symbol of my love for life and trees and sharing with others so they can love life and trees and share with others too.
- As trees have roots to grow so too do people have roots to grow. All species are connected.
- Planting an acorn, is the start to planting a forest.
Fun Facts:
- Trees provide us with oxygen to breathe. We provide trees with carbon dioxide to breathe. Together we are connected.
- Trees communicate through their root system to their tree family.
- Trees are not just shade providers; they provide us with oxygen and support our environment.
- Plant trees, plant life, plant futures.
- Precious is the smallest of life that starts as an acorn and grows into a mighty oak tree.
- Each forest is another acorn away from the future of the forest.
- What do you call a handful of acorns? A future forest.
- Humankind can survive without expensive things. It can not survive without oxygen. Plant trees.
- Nature is free to enjoy. Go outside and play in its leaves and branches.
- The leaves of a tree are the family it sends out to help cultivate the planet with generosity, love, and an unending supply of nitrogen for our soil.
- Planting a tree is believing there is a future for our descendants to admire its beauty.
- Standing in front of a tree lets you see how miracles are created.
- Gifts of acorns are gifts of life.
- Inside each acorn is the potential for life to grow into a majestic being.
- The acorn must break out of its shell, learning, growing, and sharing its resources. Be like an acorn.
- “It is now clear not only that all the trees in the forest are interconnected below the ground but also that each of the largest and oldest trees serves as a “mother tree,” with younger trees growing within her root-fungi network.” Jane Goodall
- “When a mother tree is cut down, this is likely to have an adverse effect on the development of the young, replacement seedling, and thus the regeneration of the entire forest may be compromised.” Jane Goodall
Quotes:
- “When robin redbreast appears in spring, winter is over.” In memory of Bruno Vigilio Polegatto
- When your acorn grows into a tree and produces more acorns, gather them up and plant more trees.
- “Acorn, acorn, dear acorn, grow with love, beauty, and generosity of spirit.”
- “Each human being is bred with a unique set of potentials that yearn to be fulfilled as surely as the acorn yearns to become the oak within it.” ~ Aristotle
- “The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn.” Ralph Waldo Emerson.
- “The greatest achievement was at first and for a time a dream. The oak sleeps in the acorn, the bird waits in the egg, and in the highest vision of the soul a waking angel stirs. Dreams are the seedlings of realities.” James Allen
- “Every noble achievement is a dream before it is a reality just as the oak is an acorn before it is a tree.” Patience Strong
- “You cannot plant an acorn in the morning, and expect that afternoon to sit in the shade of an oak.” Antoine de Saint-Exupery
- “Just as the acorn contains the mighty oak tree, the Self has everything it needs to fulfill its destiny. When the inner conditions are right, it naturally emerges.” Derek Rydall
- “An infinity of forest lies dormant within the dreams on one acorn.” Wayne Dyer
- “An optimist is a man who plants two acorns and buys a hammock.” Jean de Lattre de Tassigny
- “Before the acorn can bring forth the oak, it must become itself a wreck. No plant ever came from any but a wrecked seed.” Hannah Whitall Smith
- “The boughs of the oak are roaring inside the acorn.” Charles Tomlinson
- “Sometimes big trees grow out of acorns - I think I heard that from a squirrel.” Jerry Coleman
- “It takes time for an acorn to turn into an oak, but the oak is already implied in the acorn.” Alan Watts
- “I can see in the acorn the oak tree. I see the growth, the rebuilding, the restoring. I see that is the American psyche. There is so much we can draw understanding from. One of the lessons is the development of courage. Because without courage, you can't practice any of the other virtues consistently.” Maya Angelou
- “An acorn would never brag about giving shade.” Tim Cook
- “When the oak is felled the whole forest echoes with its fall, but a hundred acorns are sown in silence by an unnoticed breeze.” Thomas Carlyle
- “Schoolchildren and older people like the idea of planting trees. For children, it’s interesting that an acorn will grow into an oak, and for older people it’s a legacy.” - Clive Anderson
- “The oak is the acorn, the acorn is the oak.” - George R. R. Martin
- “Tall oaks grow from little acorns. The diligent farmer plants trees, of which he himself will never see the fruit.” - Marcus Tullius Cicero
- “Stand tall like an oak tree. Be you in this world. No other oak tree can be that tree as no other person can be you.”
- “You were created like an acorn. Unique, small but mighty, full of life, generous of spirit, full of purpose.”
- “My favorite tree had a crook so sideways it was akin to an arm reaching out, then it grew up and reached for the sky. Be like that tree – reach out to others, help them grow, reach for the sky with your dreams.”
- “Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.” Warren Buffett
- “Learn character from trees, values from roots and change from leaves” Tasneern Harneed
- My trip home from nature is always slower than my journey to walk through it.
- “I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees.” Henry David Thoreau
- "Trees are poems that the earth writes upon the sky." Kahlil Gibran
- “Trees give peace to the souls of men.” Nora Waln
- "The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit." Nelson Henderson
- “Hugging trees is a favour you do for yourself and the tree. It helps you connect to nature and at the same time gives gratitude to the tree.”
- "All our wisdom is stored in the trees." Santosh Kalwar
- “For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every green tree is far more glorious than if it were made of gold and silver.” Martin Luther
- “There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it.” Minnie Aumonier
- Just as two or more acorns are not alike, so too are you unique.
- “He who plants a tree, plants a hope.” Lucy Larcom
- “Time spent amongst trees is never wasted time.” Katrina Mayer
- “Time spent in nature creates the most precious memories.”
- “When we walk into a grove of trees or under an open sky the magic of nature takes over and the heaviness of life lifts a little.” Natassia Cassinero
- “The trees will tell their secrets to those that tune in.” Steven Magee
- “Ancient wisdom of trees pass down through the forests.”
- "In nature, nothing is perfect and everything is perfect. Trees can be contorted, bent in weird ways, and they're still beautiful." Alice Walker
- “When lost in the forest, hug a tree, and wait for others to come find you, then you can all share the glory of nature.”
- “I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says, "Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again.” Lewis Carroll
- “The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. As longs as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be. And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.” Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl
- “Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
- “Our task must be to free ourselves... by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and it's beauty.” Albert Einstein
- “The tree which moves some to tears of joy is in the eyes of others only a green thing that stands in the way. Some see nature all ridicule and deformity... and some scarce see nature at all. But to the eyes of the man of imagination, nature is imagination itself.” William Blake
- “Nature is not a place to visit. It is home.” Gary Snyder
- “Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.” John Lubbock
- "Planting more trees in the right place for the right reasons can help us humans, our livestock and other creatures and mitigate the effects of drought and extreme heat and even flooding" Tom Barnes
Which affirmation, quote or fun fact did you receive with your acorn package?
Feel free to post a comment below this article.
Feel free to post a comment below this article.
 Bur Oak Tree (credit: Oak Summit Nursery) |  Word Art (design credit: Polegatto, M.L.) |  Bur Oak Acorn (credit: Oak Summit Nursery) |
Further Resources
Cape Breton Regional Library
Two Rivers Wildlife Park
Government of Canada - Statistical Data
Tree Canada - search tree resources
Bur Oak Resources:
Oak Summit Nursery
What Is A Bur Oak Tree: Learn About Bur Oak Care In Landscapes
How to Plant an Acorn and Grow an Oak Tree
Tree Canada - How to Plant a Tree
Books
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Videos
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Bur Oak Videos
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References
25 acorn quotes. (2023, March 15). https://kidadl.com/quotes/acorn-quotes
Albert Einstein quote. AZ Quotes. (n.d.). https://www.azquotes.com/quote/87311
Botanic Garden Conservation International. (n.d.). The most comprehensive database of the world’s tree species. GlobalTreeSearch. https://tools.bgci.org/global_tree_search.php
Call of the Forest. (n.d.). Tree planting guide. Plant Hardiness Zones. https://calloftheforest.ca/find-a-tree-app/
Cape Breton Regional Library. (1970, April 1). https://cbrl.ca/
CBS. (2011, May 18). Acorn becomes oak tree in timelapse video. YouTube. https://youtu.be/CS2toXyZAy0?si=UYt5bBZmaBDei5mR
Cityline. (2021a, May 5). What science tells us about the healing benefits of “forest bathing.” YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwAaBOpBkxc
Dunham, W. (2022, February 8). Scientists count the world’s tree species (spoiler: It’s a bunch). World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/02/world-tree-species-forest-deforestation-climate-change/
Goodreads. (n.d.-b). Nature quotes (8814 quotes)
https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/nature
Government of Canada. (2021, October 15). Forest maps. Natural Resources Canada. https://natural-resources.canada.ca/maps-tools-and-publications/maps/forest-maps/16874
Government of Canada. (2022, December 9). Statistical Data. Natural Resources Canada. https://cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/statsprofile/
Growit Buildit. (2022a, August 20). Growing white oak trees from seed / acorn. YouTube. https://youtu.be/q6cViQ80aUI?si=U8fv7KiDW7pnHyZc
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Ha, K.-M. (2023). The role of forest bathing in emergency management. Forest Policy and
Economics, 150, 102953-. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forpol.2023.102953
Heath, S., Beresford-Kroeger, D., & Stickney, J. (2020). ‘Mother‐trees’ and Teachers:
Connecting My Daughter’s Environmental Education with Diana Beresford‐Kroeger’s
Enduring Wisdom. Journal of Philosophy of Education, 54(4), 1053–1063.
https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9752.12465
Membertou. (2018a, July 5). Membertou Mi’kmaq Medicine Walk. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V81MEhvtDPg
New York Times Events. (2022, October 21). Diana Beresford-Kroeger on What Can
We Learn From Nature's Technology. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8azgsk3jl4&t=1645s
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https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.2115329119?doi=10.1073/pnas.2115329119
Polegatto, Maria Lisa. (2020). Module 10: Pollution: Cleaning up the planet. Adobe Spark. https://express.adobe.com/page/qnC37Mq1Z5j0d/
Qing Li. (2022). Effects of forest environment (Shinrin-yoku/Forest bathing) on health promotion and disease prevention —the Establishment of “Forest Medicine.” Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine, 27, 43–43. https://doi.org/10.1265/ehpm.22-00160
Sala, E. (2020, January 30). These trees are crucial to our planet’s survival - why are we not protecting them? World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/01/threat-to-biodiversity-risks-a-flood-of-economic-ruin-1e1591540c/
Sundermann, M., Chielli, D., & Spell, S. (2023). Nature As Medicine: The 7th (Unofficial)
Pillar of Lifestyle Medicine. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 17(5), 717–729.
https://doi.org/10.1177/15598276231174863
TED. (2016, August 30). How trees talk to each other | Suzanne Simard. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Un2yBgIAxYs&t=326s
Top 25 acorns quotes (of 100): A-Z quotes. (n.d.). https://www.azquotes.com/quotes/topics/acorns.html
Tree Canada. (2022, December 12). Trees of Canada. Tree Canada. https://treecanada.ca/resources/trees-of-canada/
TVO Today Docs (2023, June 8). Call of the Forest: The Forgotten Wisdom of Trees | Full Film
| TVO Original Documentary. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v69ZwJGf38g
TVO Today Docs. (2020, September 28). Diana Beresford-Kroeger: A Scientist's Sacred
Wisdom About Trees. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECvZE9nlu3I
Two Rivers Wildlife Park. (n.d.). Home. https://www.tworiverspark.ca/
Urban Forestry Network. (n.d.). Welcome to the urban forestry network website. Urban Forestry Network. http://urbanforestrynetwork.org/index.htm
Vermeesch, A. L., Ellsworth-Kopkowski, A., Prather, J. G., Passel, C., Rogers, H. H., & Hansen,
M. M. (2024). Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing): A Scoping Review of the Global Research
on the Effects of Spending Time in Nature. Global Advances in Integrative Medicine and
Health, 13, 27536130241231258–27536130241231258. https://doi.org/10.1177/27536130241231258
Walk My World. (2021, June 7). 40 inspirational quotes about trees. https://www.walkmyworld.com/posts/tree-quotes
Wen, Y., Gu, X., Deng, W., Zou, Q., Hu, Y., Yan, Q., Pan, Y., Wen, Z., Wan, R., Sheng, G., Liu, Y., & He, M. (2023, August 5). The effects of dynamic and static forest bathing (Shinrin-yoku) on physiological and psychological health in males and females. MDPI. https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/14/8/1592
Wood for the Trees. (2022, December 9). From food production to flood prevention – Why planting trees will help save us from ourselves. YouTube.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFREO94UQGo
Two River Wildlife Park trail (Photo credit: Polegatto, M.L.)
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