Tree Planting

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by Ernest Thompson Seton

He that cutteth down a tree is destroying a life, and he can find justification only in that the space was needed or the timber necessary. Nevertheless, it was a trespass against the forest and its life, and he should expiate his offense by the planting of two trees. In this way, may he atone for his sin.

He that destroyeth utterly a tree and leaves its space a barren and a blank, is robbing his country of her beauty and her riches.

He that plant eth a tree, planteth a well-spring of blessing, --a blessing to the wild things that need its fruit and its shelter, a blessing to those who rejoice in its beauty, a blessing to man when his bodily wants are ministered to by its protection from sun and storm, for the nourishment of its fruit or the service of its timber for the building of homes or for the nurture of the altar fire or the fires of our hearths.

There is no evil in a tree, --only blessing, day and night, for man and for the wild things.

Come, therefore, ye Woodcraft folk, and bear witness that I am trying to do my part in blessing our country with a wealth of trees.

Here with my own hands I dig in the prepared ground and plant the tree. Now I water it and promise that I will repeat this watering every dry day, for at least half a moon, so that the seedling may not perish before its roots are quickened.

Now I sing the Rain Song.

I make the sun shimmer as I walk around my tree.

Now I plant the four stakes of the watch fire.

(Bending low, with "teacher" finger, he says:)

Now, little tree, I have given you a good start in life. I will save you from the curse of heavy hoofs and insect blight and drought. I shall rejoice in your growth and hope that some day I shall stand under the sweet restfulness of your shadow.