Tree Spirit Project: The story behind the photo

Ever since I was a boy growing up in New York state, I’ve loved being outdoors, in the woods, running around and climbing into trees, feeling alive and joyous and free. Decades later, in 2003, as an adult walking in the woods of Marin County, California, I stumbled upon a massive, sinewy coast live oak tree. At least 250 years old, older than the United States, her massive limbs filling the sky in all directions left me mesmerized. I was moved to tears by this giant living creature’s powerful presence.

This ancient tree, which I’ve since taken to calling Grandmother, was calling to me—or I was yearning to connect with her, or both. I felt, beyond rational explanation, that she was deeply rooted into the earth and I was somehow connected to her. Grandmother inspired me to bring people to her, to photograph them playing in her huge branches, dwarfed by them as if they were children.

And so began The TreeSpirit Project. TreeSpirit has taken on a life of its own since that first photograph, attracting hundreds of participants and, thanks to media attention and the Internet, tens of thousands of admirers around the world. Making these photographs, I’m thrilled to learn firsthand that so many people are alive today who understand the importance of trees—and just plain love them.

All the people in the photographs are volunteers. Most viewed the collection of TreeSpirit images in an exhibit or online, instantly “got it”—and were moved to participate. (Each participant receives a copy of the photograph he or she helps create.)

Although I make TreeSpirit photos because I simply love to do so, I couldn’t be more delighted if the project helps raise human consciousness, sending ripples out into the pond of humanity, inspiring others to act in their own unique ways on behalf of the trees with which we are interdependent.

In and around trees, people feel they’re a part of something bigger, as humans do at the ocean or under the night sky. The photographs sometimes seem to be an excuse simply to play or have an adventure in nature. Some people spontaneously climb or dance or swing in a tree. Afterward, some share stories of how they found sanctuary under or in one special tree earlier in their lives. I’ve learned over the years that the experiences we have making the photographs are as important, perhaps more important, than the photographs themselves.

I’m grateful I’ve found a way to share my lifelong passion for being under a canopy of trees, and the sky, feeling peaceful and whole.

A larger purpose has emerged from this work/play, one that has social, spiritual and environmental elements. It is the mission of The TreeSpirit Project to share my love of trees and nature in community gatherings and to create TreeSpirit photographs—intending for both the experiences and the photographs to encourage and inspire others to feel and express their own unique connections to nature—and to raise money for existing non-profit environmental organizations that value and promote tree-planting and protect green space within and outside our cities.

Although the making of each TreeSpirit image is a unique and unpredictable experience, being among trees and feeling connected to them is an ancient, reliable alchemy; humans and trees have been interdependent for thousands of years and still are. In practical, scientific terms, we need them to survive as a species.

I believe that as more people understand the importance of trees for all they provide the ecosystem in addition to beauty and shade, all species on Earth benefit. The fates of species are intertwined; we have the power to destroy other life forms, and without other life forms, humanity will perish.

We humans may only be here for a brief stay in the cosmic picture, but we have the tremendous power of free will to shape our world. Many of us in technologically advanced cultures have forgotten the ancient wisdom that trees and other life forms patiently hold. Among them are the simple, profound feelings of wonder about being alive. If we cherish Earth’s myriad living organisms, even perceive all life as one organism of which we’re a part, we can alleviate tremendous and needless suffering, rekindling in our hearts a reverence for the interconnectedness of all living creatures and the feelings of joy and wonder this realization brings.

Go out among trees, even hug one, and share with others what you feel.

Jack Gescheidt is the photographer and founder of the TreeSpirit Project. Find out more: treespiritproject.com.