I love trees. While not a landscape designer, I’ve randomly planted 50-60 Japanese maples in our yard or in pots. While not a botanist, I admire the diversity of tree life. Who would have thought that the Dawn Redwood I planted 25-years ago is now 60-feet tall! Here in the South?

As much as I love trees, I can walk pass trees without a second thought. My attention is elsewhere. Don’t trip over that branch. I hope there is a bench ahead. How many more miles today?

In my more present moments though, I love the trees. The oaks, surely England’s National tree. The birches. Some beeches.

There is no guarantee that I’d see trees along the path. For centuries, people used the trees for ships, for tables and chairs, for barrels, for firewood. So many reasons to cut the trees. However, land owners spared some. More important, since 1895 the UK’s National Trust has purchased thousands and thousands of acres. Ancient woods and rocky coastlines are preserved thanks to their work.

I’ve also learned that the world’s oldest fossilized tree is found near the South West Coast Path. The fossil is probably 390 million years old. The tree fossil, like a 10-foot palm tree, is from the Devonian period when life on land went through its first major expansion. Remarkable!

As I’ve reached Harland Point, the scenery now changes. For the first 100+ miles, I’ve walked east to west along the Bay of Bristol. The terrain and weather create favorable conditions for a variety of trees. For the next 100 +/- miles, I’m walking north to south. The Atlantic Ocean is now my companion. I anticipate that the terrain and weather will not favor the trees. I suspect that I’ll see these majestic forms of life, but probably stunted versions due to the winds and the salt saturated air.

Joseph told me about “forest bathers.” What a wonderful expression to capture the simple pleasures of walking among trees.