One and Other
Should the main stem or 'leader' of a young tree be damaged or broken, secondary branches will begin to grow, developing into what is called a two-leader tree. With a v-shape now at the heart of its formation, a two or multi-leader tree is weakened structurally leaving it more open and vulnerable to later irreparable damage.
Once upon a time in an old forest, there were two beech trees that had with time grown out towards each other, almost touching. They were called "the lovers." A young couple also lived there taking care of the forest. They both loved the trees and the wildlife that made it hum with life but, they could not agree on what taking care of the forest meant. One loved to watch it grow and change believing the forest could take care
 |
of itself and that there would always be enough to eat and shelter them. The other saw only the pruning and the guidance the trees needed to grow strong and provide them with the wood for building and cooking and for keeping them warm. |
One walked everywhere and knew every leaf and branch of the forest, admiring its endless canopy of green. Other worked day and night cutting and gathering, encouraging the branches to grow straight and true, not wanting any to be wasted, or worse to rot - not good then even for firewood.
One and Other could not agree on caretaking; they could not agree on appreciation; they could not even agree on the purpose of rotting. No end to their disagreement ever seemed to be reached.
|
Time passed and "the lovers" grew closer and closer. Eventually, their huge trunks rubbed against each other. It was impossible to tell which leaned against which and when the wind blew hard, bark chafed against bark, creaking and moaning. One loved "the lovers" and went everyday to admire them. Other, whenever passing by "the lovers," could see only their trunks slowly sinking into each other, imagining the eventual decay that would spoil their wood.
Both One and Other grew unhappy with their constant arguing, but the forest belonged to Other and One needed to find better arguments. So, one day One went away to visit other forests to see how they were growing.
| Not long after One had left, Other was busy cutting some branches near "the lovers." Other worked long and hard, trying not to think about One. The wind began to blow and "the lovers" began to moan and to wail so loudly that Other became annoyed. The wind grew stronger and "the lovers" |
 |
song filled the forest with such sorrow that Other became afraid. Before Other could think, the axe was striking hard and fast at "the lovers" trunks. First one, then the other fell. Exhausted, Other fell to the ground and then, as suddenly as it had risen, the wind fell and everywhere in the forest there was only silence.
|
