Tree Planting
GET DOWN & DIRTY
“We’ve got this gift of love, but love is like a precious plant. You can’t just accept it and leave it in the cupboard or just think it’s going to get on by itself. You’ve got to keep watering it. You’ve got to really look after it and nurture it.”— John Lennon
The ritual of tree planting symbolizes the couple beginning a new life together.
Taking care of their sapling tree (or whichever type of plant they choose) will remind them to nurture each other throughout their marriage.
Couples should select a tree species that is meaningful and resonates with how they intend to grow in their marriage. A cherry tree is associated with prosperity and good fortune; a maple tree symbolizes balance and practicality; an oak tree represents power and courage. During this ritual, the couple will take turns adding soil and water to the seedling and may also consider gifting their guests with similar saplings or small potted plants for them to nurture at home.
Marriage follows the law of the harvest, where only patient, wise effort over time will result in a good crop. Is a great garden nothing more than happy accidents? Not at all, and neither is a great marriage. Good things take time and a marriage needs care just as much as plants do.
Because love is the essence of human experience and emotion. It is the root of all and everything we do. Love enriches our experience and fills our lives with meaning. It gives us a firm base from which to grow, to learn, and to change. And there, nestled in the soil of our daily lives, lifting us up toward the light, is love.