Putting Down Roots in the Collins Sanctuary

On a sunny Sunday in March, more than 150 people gathered at the beautiful Collins Sanctuary to plant trees in honor of individuals and special events in their lives. Altogether, they planted nearly 900 Gift Trees and native plants on March 17.

Below are the opening reflection given by Emma Gray, past manager of Friends of Trees’ Gift Tree program, and photos taken at the planting by Friends of Trees staff.

“I am incredibly honored to have been asked to deliver this morning’s reflection because this is a special place, and what we are about to do here together will make it even more special.

“In the three years since I first visited this tiny forest in a city I have planted many trees here. I have planted trees to honor the birthdays of loved ones, to celebrate the births of new babies and new marriages. I have planted trees to celebrate grants won and cancers beaten by dear friends, and I have planted trees and watered them with tears for loved ones lost.

“The simple and humble act of planting a tree always symbolizes hope and optimism for me, and has somehow both eased the pain in the goodbyes and amplified the joy in the celebrations. I am thankful for the human connections that each and every tree I’ve planted here represents, and I am moved by all of you coming here this morning to honor your connections to the people in your lives and your connections to the earth.

“In a few moments we will plant our own trees. Today’s trees. We will have the opportunity to honor our roots by planting literal roots and to nurture our growth as individuals and families by creating literal growth, in leaves and branches. We will get dirty and sweat. We will create a space and the opportunity for something new to grow. It is a special thing. As a blessing on this act, I’d like to read the poem, Planting a Dogwood by Roy Scheele.”

Planting a Dogwood

Tree, we take leave of you; you’re on your own.
Put down your taproot with its probing hairs
that sluice the darkness and create unseen
the tree that mirrors you below the ground.
For when we plant a tree, two trees take root:
the one that lifts its leaves into the air,
and the inverted one that cleaves the soil
to find the runnel’s sweet, dull silver trace
and spreads not up but down, each drop a leaf
in the eternal blackness of that sky.
The leaves you show uncurl like tiny fists
and bear small button blossoms, greenish white,
that quicken you. Now put your roots down deep;
draw light from shadow, break in on earth’s sleep.

A big thank you to everyone who came out to help us plant last Sunday, and to the event’s presenting partner, The Oregonian. We also appreciate our restoration partners, Metro and the Audubon Society of Portland.