Thursday, October 1, 2026
Our love for trees has limits. We love maples, we love pines, we love willows ... but now we are called on to develop an affection for cell towers disguised as trees. That’s going to be a struggle. Instant aversion is the most common reaction.
Google says these metal towers with metal faux pine branches have existed since 1992, but a very conspicuous new one has risen just west of Ralph’s Thriftway in Olympia. It stands freakishly tall and alone, with big, securely attached metal pine-ish branches. No one loves it, but majority opinion seems to be that it is at least less ugly with the fake branches than it was without them. The aesthetic price of cellphones is cell towers. The fake branches reduce the price, but only by pennies.
Even in the depth of winter, we can’t settle for that. We need living, growing, fragrant wood — real trees — to provide relief to our minds and spirits.
All the deciduous trees may be bare now, but we know they are teeming with the promise of billions of buds and a coming celebration of leaves. And the evergreens — mostly fir, hemlock, cedar, and spruce — are standing sentry, sheltering plants, birds, insects and squirrels, and filling our eyes with the luxury of green in winter.
Standing among living trees and breathing is a gift. You might think that winter is an odd time to devote to receiving this gift, but it’s the perfect starting point for getting to know bark, branching patterns, and tree personalities. Now is the time to witness the swellings that will become buds, and sometimes the dangling catkins that will enlarge and produce pollen. Now is the time to savor the delicious anticipation of a new year.
On a ramble outdoors, you are likely to discover favorite trees, and find special comfort in their presence. For instance, I have an affinity for cottonwoods. They stand up straight; I admire that tall single trunk. In a breeze, their fluttering leaves makes a soothing sight and sound. In the spring the cottonwoods’ fragrance is the smell of frank, fresh joyous green. Their namesake seeds, carried on the wind in a cottony fluff in early June, are their signature.
Being near them makes me feel lighter and breathe more deeply.
Breathing in the company of trees surely makes us healthier, calmer, and more compassionate. There’s probably no proof of that, but it’s an idea worth testing, especially now, when health, calm and compassion are challenged by armed, masked ICE agents in our cities and invasions and threats of more invasions of other countries. The doddering old white man our fellow Americans elected has driven the federal government into a ditch.
The water in that ditch is rising. Nearly every day something worse happens. When we read or see the news it often makes us feel sick and slightly weak.
Time among trees can make us feel well and strong again.
None of us in Thurston County lives very far from a forest. Many of us may now be unable to afford health insurance, but we all have access to the remedy that comes from being among trees.
To save our democracy, we have to protect our sanity. We have to rest our minds, slow down, and think about generations as well as days, weeks and election cycles. We need to learn to think and act locally and globally at the same time.
We need to figure out how to hoist American democracy back onto its feet. We need to live together on the solid ground of the constitution, with its separation of powers and its respect for the rule of law. We need to share a truthful accounting of how the virtues and vices of humankind have shaped American history.
The cold, lifeless metal branches on cell towers hold a warning: cell towers can’t keep us alive; photosynthesis can. The internet-based and AI worlds of communication are breathless, detached from the natural world that sustains us. The living trees make the oxygen we breathe. They are much better teachers than the metal ones.
They stand their ground. They have roots. And they share their gifts without hesitation.
9 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
TimRansom
Amen
Friday, January 16 Report this
PeggyJoZim
Beautiful article! Thank you Jill.
Friday, January 16 Report this
PegGerdes
“Hoist American democracy back onto its feet” is a phrase I’m going to use again. Thank you, and the trees.
Friday, January 16 Report this
gypsydjango
So honest and beautiful, a nice comparison of the reality we're facing. Trees, our unappreciated teachers.
I always look forward to your column, we need you. Along with the hope of buds, seedlings and the like. Thank you
Friday, January 16 Report this
VDRAKE2
Well written. I always, always read whatever topics you address. Your articles, are human being contiousness filled with connectivity about what it is to be a citizen in Olympia, to be over 50, kind caring and honest. Thank you
Saturday, January 17 Report this
Dorothygist
Beautiful and uplifting. “We need to live together on the solid ground of the constitution, with its separation of powers and its respect for the rule of law. We need to share a truthful accounting of how the virtues and vices of humankind have shaped American history. “. Thank you for writing and sharing!
Saturday, January 17 Report this
Snevets
Agreed. I grew up in the Midwest amongst the trees but the first time I saw a Redwood I knew where my home would be! What we didn't have there was the wondrous Monkey Puzzle.... Incredible!
Saturday, January 17 Report this
Greenwillow
Thank you Jill. I'm with you.
Sunday, January 18 Report this
CommonSenseSenior
Somehow I missed this on the 16th! Gracious Jill you are a such a refreshing breeze yourself in these times. I LOVE most in nature watching the way wind interacts with trees, bushes, other things...the dancing of the trees so to speak. I could sit and watch for hours. Doesn't matter if it's a light breeze or a real stormy day, the sway and dancing is mesmerizing, beautiful and makes me feel peaceful inside.
Thursday, January 22 Report this