In beginning these writings, I am inspired by the idea I found on another marvelous writer’s site: whisperingearth.co.uk ~ that of speaking of and for a particular Tree throughout the Year.
Lucinda, who lives in Sussex England, chose to follow the seasons with Hawthorne. For this writer, Eastern White Pine has stepped forward as the tree I joyfully accept as the species I will share with you over the year 2018. What a wonderful way to begin this blog post and this New Year.
“All the spirits of the trees, are calling us in the breeze that flows
through the woods.
Harkening us to come and feel the healing in the song that’s sung,
through the woods…”
~Kate
Winter in the Northeast Forest – White Pine
White Pine called me into its branches many years ago, and I gladly climbed up the sticky branches to find a resting place with my back against the trunk of this fragrant tree, legs dangling down. The peace and quiet I felt was a balm. The whispering breeze played with the delicate needles which danced ever so gracefully, and shimmered in the sunlight. A perfect place to retreat and be with the Pine Community~ bluejay and chickadee, squirrel and chipmunk, deer and cottontail rabbits. As the oldest of ten noisy, busy children I yearned for time alone, a place to rest and honestly hide! When a young girl, there was an old gnarled apple tree in our small backyard where I was able to disappear among leaves and branches- if I was the first out the door. But there came a time when the others discovered my hideaway and joined me in the climbing. Time to find another “retreat”. White Pine to the rescue!
Over time, befriended by White Pine, I came to learn of the many gifts this remarkable native tree of the Northeast holds, along with its being a place of refuge and long-seeing, depending on how far up the tree one climbs! Being able to gather small branches of pine on a winter’s day for tree medicine is a joy. Walking into the woods on snowshoes brings one into the white, crystalline beauty of trees draped in the last snowfall and the low arc of sunlight in these shorter days. Once in the pine grove of young trees that have grown up in the past few years, I simply stop and listen, look up at the tall mother pine with her many nodding cones gracing her “hair”, and give thanks for the presence of this graceful tree. Asking aloud for permission to gather a few branches, again I listen and trust the guidance I feel, rather than hear, and clip the aromatic small branches to bring home for winter tea and honey. How marvelous to be able to gather one’s medicine even in winter!
Back at home I clip the small branches and needles into small pieces and put aside.
For a tea of White Pine:
Heat a pint of water to boiling in a covered pan. At this point, turn off the heat source, or remove pan from the stove. Place a small handful of cut needles and small stems in the hot water and cover the pan. Leave for 5-10 minutes. Strain through cheesecloth into your teacup or mug, breathe in the fragrance of your wild ”tree tea” and enjoy- perhaps as you sit and look out the window at the tree(s) in your yard.
White Pine Honey:
If making honey, I place these cut needles and stems into a jar, loosely filling it ¾ full. I then warm some raw, local honey ( in its own jar) in a pan of hot water until the honey flows easily. When the honey is ready, I simply pour it carefully over the pine needles, just covering them- leaving a ½ inch space on the top of the jar, to prevent possible overflow! Now it is time to place the filled jar on a cloth or plate, in a relatively warm place- near a woodstove, top of the refrigerator, sunny window and leaving for a few weeks. Retrieving the jar, I then warm it a bit in a pan of warm water and then pour through a mesh strainer into a waiting jar. Cleaning up is a delicious process~ many licks of this sweet pine “nectar”!
To use: place in hot water, tea, salad dressings, or simply by the spoonful! White Pine opens and clears the lungs, aids in deep breathing, and simply tastes of the woods. The qualities and actions of White Pine are many and next month I will share more of their gifts.
Hope you can make time to hug a tree! If an evergreen- careful of the sticky resins.
