I remember a science lesson from my childhood in which we were learning about trees. We were introduced to the different parts of a tree: trunk, branches, leaves, and roots. We categorized trees into different types: deciduous and coniferous. I performed well on the follow-up test that assessed my understanding of trees.

Different Ways of Knowing

It wasn’t the science lesson, however, that helped me understand the “treeness” of a tree. To understand the essence of what it means to be a tree, I needed to spend time with trees. Fortunately, I had many opportunities to interact with trees during my childhood. We had fruit and shade trees in our yard and several acres of woods on our farm. I knew about trees because I saw them every day. I picked the fruit, raked the leaves, watched birds make nests in the branches, and often sat on the limbs of my favorite tree. These trees weren’t objects to be studied; they were companions, sources of wonder, and places of solace.