The Healing Nature of Trees

by Patrice Bouchardon

What can be more majestic than a great tree in its prime, or more moving than a fruit tree snowed under by its spring blossom? Have you ever sensed as you gaze at its beauty, the mysterious life that makes this tree what it is?

Since ancient times the tree has been a symbol of power, of wisdom, of fertility and of life itself. Perhaps the universality of these symbols reflects something innate that connects us with the tree at a deeper level than we have imagined until now.

The Healing Nature of Trees will help you discover and use trees' energy for yourself and provide a clear process of self-development, self-healing and a creative way of finding new solutions to the problems that face us. Woods and forests still provide a special place for finding peace, silence and beauty; precious qualities that are becoming more and more needed to combat the stress of daily life.

This enchanting book beckons you to pause amidst the bustling world and invites you to meet trees as you never have before, fostering a deeper connection with the natural world. This marvellous adventure will lead you into the heart of yourself, and in this simple intimacy you can come to understand yourself more deeply and find your true strength.

Genres: Nature, Spirituality, Nonfiction

144 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Colleen]

I give this author credit for having the guts to say half the things he says in this book.

(i.e., "How do you meet a tree?" and later "At first we could only look at the tree and observe without getting much further....we touched the trees, we smelled them, we tasted the buds and the sap ....we put an ear to the trunk to confirm that all was quiet...)"

This is the ultimate tree hugger book. LOL.

I'm not trying to be disrespectful, I agree that everything is made up of energy but the way he writes the book is very funny.

So go out and hug a tree today....you'll feel better LOL.

[Rachel Nelson]

I recently started reading this book that I picked up from a local plant nursery. While it features stunning photographs of trees, its claims about the healing properties of tree oils—both for physical and mental ailments—based on the energy frequencies emitted by the trees are questionable at best. The book briefly touches on topics like the ego and the idea of manifesting challenges for personal growth, but it lacks any clinical depth. I find it difficult to accept this level of pseudoscience. In contrast, books like Braiding Sweetgrass and Breath successfully bridge indigenous practices with empirical science, offering grounded insights. It’s disappointing that this book focuses more on its visual appeal, as there may be some truth within its pages, but the lack of scientific rigor makes it hard to take seriously, and especially recommend to those who could truly benefit from meditation, cleansing rituals, forest bathing, and simple introspection. These are the practices the author actually recommends but under terms like “asking a tree a question, which type of tree should you ask?”, and especially, which type of snake-I mean tree-oil should you buy directly from the author as she sells them.

[An]

The greatest value of this book can be found in its invitation to explore our experience with and relation to the trees that surround us. The author guides us to perceive subtleties in our perception through our senses and notice the impact the interaction with the trees has on us. Even though the foundation of the exercises in mindfulness and meditation is clear, I still find it incredibly helpful to be led step by step to peel back the layers and deepen the experience.

In the second part of this book, Bouchardon shares his experience with 7 particular trees and shrubs. I am yet to discover if this matches my own experience and am mindful that being told beforehand of their energies may influence my experience of them. In that regard, I'm unsure to what extent I find this section helpful. However, I can also see how someone looking for support in a particular area may find it handy to know beforehand which tree or shrub to lean towards. It does contradict the message of learning to lean into your intuition in your connection with trees though.

[Erin]

A very easy read! There wasn't any ground breaking information in this book for me, but it has a lot of good exercises laid out that should aid in the process of learning to listen to trees.

[Sylvia Clare]

depends on where you are with your journey into understanding healing but i found this book too full of lovely photos and lacking on substance or real depth.

[Josh S]

Be nice to the trees! The best part of this book was encouraging everyone to go and sit under a tree to watch it sway while focusing on breathing. Sitting with the trees can bring a sense of relaxation.

I am confused though because the book in the beginning claimed that people who see trees as means of harvest are of “The Farmer” archetype. This book described “The Farmer” archetype as the worst archetype you could be in your relationship to trees.

But then the second half of the book had sections about the benefits of oils you harvest from trees? I guess because they are not destroying the trees to make the oils they don’t see it in the same way?

[꧁ k e l s e y ꧂]

A valuable resource.

[TT]

Found this lovely book from a hidden bookstore in Macau "边度有书".

[Luce Cronin]

Wonderful insight into the energy of trees. Contains lots of practical exercises enabling you to be more aware of individual trees and their contribution to our daily lives.