F Blog project 08: Trees

Photo: Markus Andersson

Trees are strong symbols, a blessing to mankind and also very "photogenic", don´t you think? We have therefore dedicated one of our F blog projects of 2008 to this subject. Here are a few examples of what "trees" are about. (As you know, The F blog is about photography primarily, not biology or mythology etc. So this short introduction is just to remind you of the importance of trees.)

In Norse mythology, Yggdrasil is the World Tree, a great ash tree located at the center of the universe and joining the nine worlds of Norse cosmology.

There are many different cherry tree varieties in Japan, most of them bloom for just a couple of days in spring. The Japanese celebrate that time of the year with hanami (cherry blossom viewing) parties under the blooming trees.

The olive is one of the plants most cited in recorded literature. In Homer's Odyssey, Odysseus crawls beneath two shoots of olive that grow from a single stock.The leafy branches of the olive tree, as a symbol of abundance, glory and peace, were used to crown the victors of friendly games and bloody war.

Photo: Christofer Grandin

Pines are commercially among the most important of species used for timber and wood pulp in temperate and tropical regions of the world. This is because they are fast-growing softwoods that can be planted in relatively dense stands, and because their acidic decaying needles may inhibit the growth of other competing plants in the cropping areas.

The oak is a common symbol of strength and endurance and has been chosen as the national tree of England, Estonia, France, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, the United States and Wales.

W.H. Barreveld wrote: "One could go as far as to say that, had the date palm not existed, the expansion of the human race into the hot and barren parts of the "old" world would have been much more restricted. The date palm not only provided a concentrated energy food, which could be easily stored and carried along on long journeys across the deserts, it also created a more amenable habitat for the people to live in by providing shade and protection from the desert winds "

Photo: Jeanne Wells

Many trees are also changing clothes by the seasons, from the tiny buds of springtime to the naked branches of late autumn. There are many possible interpretations of this subject. We are looking forward to receive your unique interpretation.

The pictures don´t need to be taken during 2008. If the pictures are from 1968, it´s fine with us. You may send series or individual pictures.

The bottom line is: We want pictures of trees.