When a tree is pruned, some of the branches are cut off. After the branch is removed, callus tissue grows over the pruning cuts or wounds and is called woundwood. The woundwood quickly grows and covers the pruning cuts. When the tree is properly cut, the woundwood grows out from all sides in a round doughnut shape over the wound.
A pruning cut makes the tree more vulnerable to internal decay and cracking. The overall health of the tree is dependent on the proper healing of the pruning cuts.
It used to be believed that painting the wound was best, but now it has been determined that sealing compounds encourage wood rot. So the best way to ensure the tree will remain healthy is to use the proper pruning technique and to do it during the right time of the year.
When the wound cracks, it allows insects to enter the tree and this infestation can kill the tree in time.
An ancient African proverb states:
“The axe forgets what the tree remembers.”
The instrument that cut the tree, be it an “axe” or saw, did the job and moved onto the next tree. The cut it made was of little to no consequence to the pruning tool. However, the wound it left behind on the tree will take a long time to heal and will leave a scar. The tree will not ever forget the pruning experience or the tool that was used.
We are all trees.
Some people are strong oak trees and others are delicate dogwoods, but all trees are vulnerable when pruned.
You want what you want and that leads you to make choices that will help you fulfill your wants and reach goals that you’ve set. In so doing, sometimes you may give into your own fears and insecurities. When that happens, often your choices will be so selfish that you hurt people – especially the people that care and love you.
Your actions and words will leave wounds and scars just like the axe does with the tree. A misjudgement, poor choice or the slip of your tongue can crack another person’s heart. When you walk away, they are left with the pain and only time will eventually help scar over the wound that you left. Sometimes the cracks are so numerous, that the person never heals. Instead, the person can withdraw or grieve themselves to death.
If you’re the person who is grieving, now is the time to let go of all that pain. There are so many things you still can do!
“You must make a decision that you are going to move on. It won’t happen automatically. You will have to rise up and say, ‘I don’t care how hard this is, I don’t care how disappointed I am, I’m not going to let this get the best of me. I’m moving on with my life.’”
– Joel Osteen
So when you experience disappointments and loss, give yourself a hug and a pep talk. Then hold your head up, feel gratitude for the opportunities ahead and keep on going.
“Your words are strong enough to inspire or destroy a spirit and to break a heart. So be careful and think before you speak or act.” ~ Sherry Riter ~
After reading this post I will never prune a tree. Not that I have ever pruned a tree in my life, or held an axe or used a saw. I take that back. I did use a saw once when I was in elementary school to build a birdhouse. But then no birds flew into my birdhouse. Now I’m thinking that must have been because I forgot to put bird seeds and water in the birdhouse. Well, I never said I was a rocket scientist. 🙂
LOL Oh my goodness that is funny!
What an inspiring post! Love the tree analogy! Thanks for sharing on the Thursday Blog Hop!
Thank you so much!!! 🙂
Wow.. What an article… I wish n hope all of us get the wisdom to watch over our words and actions… Feelings are delicate….
Thank you!
Powerful indeed. Much inspiring.
Thank you Marcie! {{{hugsss}}}
When I saw (and enjoyed) your post, I thought of these bible verses: “thoughtlessness words are like stabs of a sword” and “as silver apples in gold carvings, so is a word spoken at the right time” “The tongue is a fire than can set a whole woodland abalze” (you can read them at JW.org) The other well known but largely ignored phrase “words have power” is what you have highlighted. I have done much study about resonance and how just a sound (word) on our ear can cause great damage to a soul/person. A mild answer turns away rage but a harsh word stirs up anger” How wonderful for us to be able to use our words to calm.
What you have highlighted here is our responsibility to use the power that we each have to build others up instead of tearing them down. Another verse says: “Let a rotten word not come out of your mouth, but only what is good for building up, to impart what is beneficial to the heaters” Thank you for your beautiful and upbuilding words.
Thanks!