We have an amazing old Black Walnut Tree in our backyard that must be at least 300 years old. It is so massive that it fills your entire field of vision even from 100 feet away. Herbalists have been using Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) for thousands of years for its antifungal, antiparasitic, antibacterial and antiviral properties; in addition, it is a tasty, nutritious treat and beautiful dye. Honestly, I have never been compelled to work with it; I have only been called to hug it and revere it.

I am long time tree hugger, in fact on several income tax returns I have written, “Tree Hugger” for my occupation. On February 1, 2016, the state of affairs of our world were just too much for me to handle and feelings of hopelessness were creeping in when all of sudden I was compelled to hug our majestic Black Walnut tree. It was pure bliss. It hugged me back, giving me the feeling of a Grandmother comforting and assuring their little one. I continued to hug it each day, using it as a transmitter to broadcast peace, love and hopes of healing to the world. Some days I hugged it more than once. If someone was having a particularly difficult time, at a time I would normally be inclined to simply give them a hug, I would bring them out to hug the tree with me. Hugging a tree seemed more powerful than my hugs.

When you hug a tree ~ really hug the tree, breathe it in, become the hug, you are actually hugging the entire earth and all of its occupants. The tree’s roots go deep into the soil connecting with all life on earth and the branches reach high into the air assisting you to reach everyone and everything; it is very powerful when you allow the connection to seep into your being.

There were a few days, when I realized that I may have not hugged the tree that day. So I went out to give it a goodnight hug. Even on crazy cold days like 2/13/16 when it was 1.9°F and felt like -25°F. I decided to fill the bird feeders and go hug my tree. And folks, it didn’t seem that cold as the tree shielded me from the wind. If the sun was shining, I could feel the warmth on my back even though it was below freezing.

In February, I went to Florida to visit my folks and took daily walks to find a tree to hug. Some days I imagined my hugs going deep into the tree’s roots, through the soil and reaching my Black Walnut at home. They say after 21 days of repeating a task it becomes a habit. I really love this habit.

When I phoned Mike & Mathew to tell them my Father passed away in April, Mathew’s immediate reaction was to go out and hug our tree. Mathew told me that he knew my Mom and I needed a lot of love and support, so he was sending it all to us in Florida via our tree. Funny, I didn’t share this with anyone but when my Dad was nearing his last breath, I would hug our tree in NY and imagine my love moving through its roots to the trees I hugged around his home embracing my parents during this very difficult time. With my daily hugs, the earth seems smaller and more connected with all the life on our planet.

Have you hugged a tree? If not, I really recommend it.

All information is shared for educational purposes only and has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.