Tending a Forest

Growing Trees

As genealogists and family historians, we think of our research as growing trees. In the field of science over the past few decades, there has been an effort to grow more trees, as a way to make up for all the forests that have been cleared as humans have moved in to farm, and build villages, cities and  businesses.

Nurturing Forest Webs

Recently, research has shown that "monoculture" where only one kind of tree is planted, does not have the same benefits as forests do. As a result, there has been more research to see why there is a difference. In short, what they have found is that a forest works as a system, not a just a group of plants and animals. The similarities to human communities were striking; forests operate as complex systems of interacting parts, including living members and other elements. Such interactions create intricate webs of interdependence, with key processes such as energy flow and nutrient cycling sustaining life for all who live there [1]. 

Communication

In human society, we communicate using language and gesture; in forests, roots use energy and chemicals called a food chain. And of course, we humans have long lived in and used forests. More to the point, we live as forests do, as a community, both giving and receiving. We too have roots which nourish each of us and the community. They are ties, social bonds; families, churches, gathering places of all sorts, from businesses to libraries, charities, governments, social services; the list is long. As such, the trees we're building will be better and tell a deeper story if we include more than just the direct ancestors, because even the friends, work comrades, neighbors and distant relatives enrich the tree and better reflect the lives we are researching. 

Web of Stories

One of the powerful ways we communicate is stories; from the time children are born until we write obituaries to commemorate those who have died. Sometimes, we publish them right here in blog posts, but we hear stories everywhere we go, from the news, games, dramas to advertising. These stories bind us together. They remind us of our common history, and inform us about what's happening now, and why. 

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On Facebook, the Kent Historical Society recently posted:

Resilient Roots: Johnny Moses - Storytelling, an event Friday, August 22, 2025 at 6:30 PM at 855 E Smith St, Kent, Washington. They are asking only a small donation to support the entire series.

"Resilient Roots is a year-long monthly series at the Kent Historical Museum, celebrating the artistic and cultural traditions of Indigenous people. Through storytelling, musical performances, artisan demonstrations, and hands-on workshops, this program provides a platform for Indigenous voices while fostering intergenerational learning and cultural exchange.

"Resilient Roots" draws Inspiration from the idea of "Hub trees.” Hub trees grow strong from the spirit of ancestors within the land: nourishing and nurturing younger trees through their shared roots. Much in the same way, this program ensures that elders pass down ancestral knowledge to younger generations so they too may grow strong."

I hope to see you there!

1. NOVA: Secrets of the Forest. Season 52 Episode 8.  

Valorie Zimmerman

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Send your stories to m.strickland@skcgs.org

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