Noticing Trees

Most people can identify a robin or a deer at a glance, yet walk past dozens of trees without noticing them. Scientists call this tendency to overlook plants as active living organisms plant blindness. Our brains often treat trees as scenery rather than as living systems that breathe, communicate and defend themselves, support wildlife, and respond to environmental change. Seeing trees as background objects affects public support for tree protection and urban forestry, since

For much of modern history, forests have often been viewed through an economic lens. Trees become board feet of lumber, sources of pulp, fuel, or land to be cleared for development. While these uses are real and sometimes necessary, they can obscure a more fundamental truth: forests are living communities upon which all life—including our own—depends. Many Indigenous cultures throughout North America have long held a different perspective. Trees, animals, rivers, and even the

Spanish, American Sign Language and Japanese language students learned about trees in various languages. Then they walked the Clark College campus with Vancouver's Urban Forester and World Language professors while placing painted rocks under the corresponding trees. “What?” asked a student. “There are different names for trees? I thought they were all just called trees.” This student’s question made me realize what an important assignment this was. We discussed facts about