I climbed trees when I was growing up. A Chinaberry tree grew near our front porch. Lower limbs made it easy to climb that tree. One limb was an excellent place to practice “chin-ups”! My cousin, Donald, tackled challenges in his grandfather’s yard, climbing huge, sturdy hardwood trees. At their tops, it felt like seeing beyond the horizon!
Along the dirt road in front of our house was a prolific stand of rogue Sweetgum saplings between the road and field. Tall, slender, and limber, they were alluring to my cousin Donald and me. It was great fun in climbing them. The top would bend dramatically. Holding on, I would swing my feet to the side, the sapling would bend, swinging me over the sandy road. Timed it accurately, you turned loose and dropped onto the sandy road beneath. Sometimes the treetop broke off; I still dropped onto the sandy road. Thus, simply one less tree for climbing. Full disclosure: those trees were unwanted saplings, already interfering with the fence line; so no offense.
There is something about climbing trees that can wonderfully enrich childhood. The challenge, discernment, and excitement touch on so many brain (and muscle) cells. Growing up in the country, I was surrounded by trees, it was easy to choose a tree to climb—and decide if I should; Grandmother’s cherry tree (weak limbs) was an absolute “No-ne” inspite of it’s attraction.
In our first year of marriage, Paige and I lived in Coastal Georgia. We enjoyed flying kites on the beach. It was easy—there was always a sturdy breeze and the beach was fun. One Saturday afternoon, while flying a kite, I was careless with the kite and it landed in the fronds of a palm tree. Trying to impress my new bride, I shimmied up the palm tree in my shorts. I had not thought clearly about climbing a palm tree in my shorts. My bare skin gathered spines from the palm tree. So instead of being impressed, Paige became first-aid-nurse for my tortured legs when we got home.
Jesus told a funny story about climbing trees, Zacchaeus wanted badly to see and talk to Jesus; public official that he was, he willingly embarrassed himself and climbed a tree to catch a close view of Jesus. He not only got to talk to Jesus, he also got a dinner invitation.
Copyright © Willis H. Moore 2025