More than a tree

More than a tree


Kishkan, T. 2011.  Pinus ponderosa:  a serious waltz. pg. 131-154 in Mnemonic:  a book of trees.  Goose Lane Editions, Fredricton, New Brunswick.

In this chapter, the author discusses the many intimate memories and experiences associated with Ponderosa Pines across her life. The chapter discusses Ponderosa Pines association with childhood memories, constructing baskets of pine needles, pine beetles and human history, and its many medicinal uses.

Throughout the whole essay it seems evident Kishkan sees beauty in Ponderosa Pines beyond the capacity of most. There seems to be a slow progression of overall peace achieved as she tells her stories and gathers pine needles to make her basket. Although obstacles always arise with making the pine basket, the author learns and stays persistent with the task at hand, holding on to all the things she loves about Ponderosa Pine. She eventually feels the difficulties get less severe and perseveres, completing her pine needle basket.

Many parts of the essay were more than engaging. From the moment I started reading the essay there seemed to be a strong sense of personification happening when describing trees. For example, on pg. 131, she describes the spruce as having “strong, supple arms” which give way to Ponderosa Pines. Later on in the chapter, on pg, 148, we get more personification as trees are described as being able to feel the organisms interacting with them. She even goes as far to describe how “a tree might have been startled awake by a bear climbing to its first strong branch”.  It is through these examples of personification that I felt I was able to acquire insight suggestive of Kishkan not seeing the plant world like an everyday, average person.

I felt it was difficult to be anything but engaged as Kishkan explains the personal functions Ponderosa Pines serve her; a trend that seemed to guide her progression in making her pine needle basket.  Having an allergic reaction to mosquitos, Ponderosa Pines are described as a sort of sanctuary for her, a place where her best memories are made and preserved. She even goes as far to say, on pg. 135, that she rests easy knowing, no matter where her children are, trees are watching over them. On pg. 133, she unveils the extent of her peaceful memories saying “I keep the cones in a bowl at home, a way back as sure as dreaming”. Even in situations of dissatisfaction she attempts to take what good memories she can from the trees. This is apparent, on pg. 133, when she explains that she only wants to keep memories of “healthy trees standing in their drifts of golden grass”.

What also kept me engaged in the chapter, was the extent of detail Kishkan was able to go into about her experiences with Ponderosa pine, continually displaying knowledge along the way. She is careful to make note of any personal highs and lows during the experience. When listing materials for the pine needle basket, on pg. 133, both raffia and the 18 tapestry needles are described as the easiest materials to get. Through her provided details you get the sense, as her experiences continue, she learns from her mistakes, frequently acknowledging her own imperfection. Even when, at the top of pg. 136, she describes a dog show, a seemingly unrelated memory with little contribution to her stories of Ponderosa Pine, the detail adds to the depth of her essay in the chapter.  It reminds me of how chaotic and random a human mind can be. On pg. 137, this sort of chaotic logic is also present when she doesn’t want to interrupt an intimate moment between owners of a store despite her want to inquire about one of the stores products.

Above all else I found it interesting how she, at the end of pg. 137, refers to beetles being worshiped when they emerge from rolled up balls of waste. I love that she seems to suggest a reevaluation of our current perspectives while making reference to our species past. She even goes as far to say, on pg. 142, what a remarkable idea it would be to let children and trees “meet as organisms”. Similarly, later on pg. 141, she compares the name for beetles “scarabs” to the Greek word “monogenes” for Christ saying that the words are quite literally one in the same. It was through this brave but comical comparison I really began to believe that Kishkan was a woman open to all the little joys life has to offer.

Overall, I thought Kishkan had a well written, entertaining essay. I didn’t feel like I was left with much to dislike. She used adequate detail in everything she explained and was able to bring excitement to her stories of Ponderosa Pine by using personification. In terms of a “take-home lesson”, I would have to say that, if Kishkan was suggesting anything at all, it is likely along the lines of a need for an increased appreciation for nature. I get the impression that, despite a strong fondness for Ponderosa Pine, she is firm to the idea that we should be closer to the world around us, the life around us.