Life of a Gum Tree

Life of a Tree

As it floated down from its parent, the red gum seed was pushed away by a gust of wind. It rode that gust for over a kilometre, then settled on a wet patch of soil. As the moisture seeped into the seed shell, the cells inside came to life, and the seed became a sprout. Wire thin roots burst from the capsule, pressing down into the earth. Moments afterwards, a tiny soft stem, budded with infant leaves, shot up, seeking the warm light of the sun.

Above, a fluffy white cloud drifted with the wind, exposing the face of the fiery orb. The shadow of the offending cloud gone, the sprout was now bathed in light. Feeling the heat, it opened the budded leaves, absorbing the life-giving celestial gift. The touch of the sun tickled the sprout, encouraged it. When rain came, the seedling mourned the dark thickness of rain clouds, but learned to rejoice in their coming. It felt the small thumps upon the ground as the rain droplets fell from the heavens, and the cool wetness as the water seeped through the top soil and down to its thirsty roots.

The sapling learned the rhythm of nature, the steady ebb and flow of life. As the sun rose, it and all other plants opened their pores and turned their leaves to face the light. They resumed drinking from their roots, sipping the ground water that was bursting with nutrients. The trees could taste this liquid, just as they could taste the air they breathed. They tasted the sharp dust blown in from far away plains, sweet pollen from the flowering grevilleas, the musk of animals everywhere. The tree felt the movement of the animals through the earth, the smallest vibrations tickled its roots, speaking of the echidna digging a den, or a gang of kangaroos bounding across to their favourite spot of grasses. Then the sun began it's descent, bringing forth the moon.

The light of the moon, so different from the buzzing fiery light of the sun, whispered a sweet lullaby to the trees. When Tree felt the soft caress of the moon, it slept. When a tree sleeps, it still senses its world still, but breathing slower and drinking slower. Tree does not care so much to pay attention, and let the gatherings of its senses drift away out of mindfulness. Time passes quicker, and soon the moon has gone to be replaced by it's more energetic brother, awakening the world once more.

Tree also learnt to communicate with its family; the other trees around it. Underground, as roots extended down and around, the roots of different trees would meet and gently entwine. Through this touch, trees could talk. They could sense the feelings of their neighbours, and pass it on to other trees. Through this underground network the trees could tell stories, comfort each other, debate and discuss the events of the current season.

Countless seasons passed by, marked only by the changing of the world. Tree noted these changes, watched the world slowly move around it. In turn, Tree grew, filling its space proudly. When it reached maturity, Tree flowered for the first time. It had spent the whole year growing its buds, so when the spring came and pollen wafted across the bush, insects, birds and animals flocked to the newly mature tree. They congratulated Tree on its work by drinking the nectar from the flowers. Tree of course did not mind, the little tongues tickled it gently. Most of the creatures left after they had sated their thirst for nectar, while some remained. They claimed spots in the crown of branches, building homes in the forks. Tree had settled into its place. Most of the nesting birds flew away after their chicks had hatched, but others always came to take their place. All was well.

More years passed, each one hotter and drier than the last. The summers were growing harsher, clouds hardly coming across the sky to shield the land from the sun's rays. Tree grew thirsty, having to dig its roots further down into the soil for water. What rain did fall quickly drained deep into the earth, leaving the smaller plants dry. They slowly began to to die, going brown. The birds flew away, searching for more water. The kangaroos quickly followed, along with other animals who were not held in place by nests or burrows. The rest waited for summer to wane. Tree waited as well. It turned its leaves away from the sun so they wouldn't burn, and went into a state of semi-slumber. It could only wait out the summer through rest.