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The Birches In The Wood Wide Web

silver birches, brighten the forest
and make my stride confident
I collect their silky bark
to kindle a lonely night.

Fujico Hashimoto

Selma’s first American Sentence

 Kill Paper birches, witness how the Douglas firs die prematurely.

My source and burst of wisdom come with clues and careful scientific research from the book, The Hidden Life Of Trees by Peter Wohlleben:

"Paper birches, with their lush leaves and gossamer bark, seemed to be feeding
the soil and helping their coniferous neighbors. But how? In pulling back the
forest floor using microscopic and genetic tools, I discovered that the vast
belowground mycelial network was a busting communty of mycorrhizal fungal
speciaes. These fungi are mutualistic. They connect the trees with the soil
in a market exchange of carbon and nutrients and link the roots of paper
birches and Douglas firs in a busy, cooperative Internet."
                    Pg. 248 Notes From A Forest Scientist,
                    Dr. Suzanne Simard, in 
                    The Hidden Life Of Trees
                    by Peter Wohlleben

Selma’s second American Sentence:

 The birches are carers, mothers, and nurturers of firs. You've been warned.

© selma

Thanks for reading my thoughts today. I wish you warmth, safety, and miracles.

Selma Martin
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This Post Has 30 Comments

  1. Cheryl, Gulf Coast Poet

    Selma, thank you for a fascinating science lesson and beautiful poetry! You brightened my morning!

    1. Selma Martin

      I’m delighted to know this. Cheryl. Glad I could bring you a ray of gladness this way. Blessing you.

  2. Sadje

    A very important message

    1. Selma Martin

      Yes. Important to remember. Let’s stop cutting down trees. Our future depends on trees. Xoxo

  3. sgeoil

    Lovely! I recently bought the book, The Secret Life of Trees, now I just need to find the time to read it. You’ve reminded me I should make the time.

    1. Selma Martin

      Serendipity my sweets. I hope you find the time. You’ll love the book. 👏 👏

  4. Smitha V

    Selma, thank you for this lovely reminder of nature’s magic, the interdependence, and interconnectedness of it all.

    1. Selma Martin

      I’m glad you found value in this, dear Smitha. Blessings.

    2. Selma Martin

      Smitha. I just read your Spring post. Shared in Twitter but my comment didn’t go through. I’ll post it here:
      So spring! How wonderful. And one 🍅 already?! Geez. Amazing. Loved this post. Stay warm. Thanks for sharing all this excitement with me. Blessings. Hurray for spring!
      Lovely photos too. Beautiful 👏 stay warm.

  5. Ingrid

    They are, indeed, our carers, so we must care for them!

    1. Selma Martin

      We need them more. Thanks for reading and responding. Blessings.

  6. KK

    A lovely message! Beautiful poem!

    1. Selma Martin

      I’m delighted you thought so, KK. I’m humbled you read and commented. XoXo

    2. rajkkhoja

      Lovely massage. Nice written you. I like. Wonderful the wood briches silver. Amazing words use in. Beautiful thoughts. I like

  7. Kym Gordon Moore

    Interestingly, there is something so fascinating about the physical qualities that holds many mysteries of the tree and life thereof underneath. Thanks for sharing such a poetic message of life and survival Selma my friend…the mothers, carers, and nurturers. 🤗🌳🥰

    1. Selma Martin

      Trees are fascinating living things. They are all those things. And they’ve been here longer than many of us. Their wisdom is long rooted 👏 thanks for reading and finding value to drop a comment. I appreciate you. Blessings.

      1. Kym Gordon Moore

        Oh Selma, you are so very welcome and I appreciate you sharing a part of nature that is near and dear to my heart. I don’t live in an area where birch trees are indigenous, but I am still fascinated by their history and character traits. Have an awesome evening my dear Selma. Cheers! 🤗🌳🥰💖😘

    1. Selma Martin

      I’m honored by your read and comment. Stay sweet.

  8. Jules

    There is much to learn from trees. I have always liked birch because of their unique bark. I was told that at one point (in the distant past) that some would use the bark as post cards. I’m not sure you can actually do that anymore.

    With hubby now retired – I seem to have less time to myself. I still haven’t copy printed or figured out how to get that image of the sunflower off my smart phone. Happy New Year of the Rabbit!!

    1. Selma Martin

      Happy new year of the rabbit 🐇
      Readjusting to the newness will keep you busy. But you’ll get there. It’s a learning experience. Hope it works smoothly soon. Bless you. Sending you good vibes.

      1. Jules

        Different can be good too. Lately I’ve been adding time to reading and working on a granny square (crochetted) blanket. As well as more time on health…

        Still writing everyday. But slow at return visits. I do get back – eventually. But I’m not caught up everyday.

        Everyday can be new – recognizing the goodness we can give and receive is a lifelong lesson. (((Hugs))) to you.

    1. Selma Martin

      🙃 I did my best with my first poetry of its kind. Thanks for reading.

  9. Conny

    I love birch trees, with their silver and green leaves 😊

    1. Selma Martin

      They are lovely. As everything nature regales us with. Thanks for reading and commenting, dear Conny. Xo

  10. Layla Todd

    Loving the last lines of this beautiful poem that creates such an instant image! <3

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