If Trees Had Souls

If God had given trees souls, I don't think their souls would be found in the loveliness of their spring flowers and budding leaves, or even in the magnificent glory of their colorful fall foliage. If, indeed, trees had souls, I think they would be found in their roots -- the roots that anchor them to the earth and keep them straight and nurture them as they grow.

I love taking pictures of trees, and have discovered that sometimes the twisted and tangled roots of a tree are more interesting and just as beautiful as its flowers and foliage. Here are a few pictures from my collection which, I think, illustrate this perfectly.

Tangled roots of an old magnolia tree located on the grounds of the Old Court House Museum in Vicksburg, Mississippi.

More magnolia roots ...

I captured these huge roots of an old oak tree in an antebellum neighborhood in Natchez, Mississippi.

I found these moss-covered roots on the side of a road in Vicksburg.

The roots of this old magnolia tree, located in the National Cemetery inside the Vicksburg National Military Park, embrace grave markers of soldiers who died during the Siege of Vicksburg.

I love the roots of this magnificent Gingko tree, also located in the cemetery of the Military Park. The tree is approximately 240 years old, based on the size of its trunk.

This picture, which was taken during winter, gives us a glimpse of what the roots of a tree look like underground. It amazes me that trees can live with their roots exposed like that, but those are, indeed, alive and struggling to hold on to their tentative grasp of the soil crumbing around them.

After looking at these pictures, perhaps you can understand why I say, "If trees had souls, you could find them in their roots."

Sweet Magnolias -- One of God's Masterpieces

Midday rain, wind, and thunderstorms swept through Vicksburg yesterday, but they moved through quickly leaving bright blue skies and fluffy white clouds. It was so nice after the rain that I couldn't resist grabbing my camera and going over to the National Military Park, which is about ten minutes from my house.

I had a plan in mind ... to take some pictures of the magnificent old Grandiflora magnolia trees in the Vicksburg National Cemetery. The magnolias are blooming now and as I walked among the trees, there was a light breeze blowing and the sweet, heavenly scent of the blossoms surrounded me.

I love the old moss-covered limbs, gnarly trunks, and twisted roots of the trees, and captured some of them with my camera (to see the amazing details of these trees, please click on the pictures to enlarge them) ...

Notice how the grave markers have been embraced by the roots of this tree ...

I wanted to get some close up pictures of the magnolia blossoms, but all of the trees are huge, and most of the flowers were way above my head. However, "where there's a will, there's a way," and I did manage (thanks to my telephoto lens) to get a few interesting pictures.

I think magnolia blossoms are beautiful, no matter what stage of their "bloom life" they're in. Just look at the elegance of this blossom which is way past its "prime" ...

One of God's masterpieces ...

These are the blossoms I captured "from a distance." I hope to add some "close up and personal" pictures of magnolia blossoms soon. In fact, after I returned home yesterday afternoon, I noticed a bud that may open today on a lower branch of one of our Gem Magnolias. I am going to keep an eye on it to try to catch it in the different stages of blooming.

I hope you have magnolias where you live and can take time to enjoy their elegant blossoms and their heavenly perfume. They are truly awe-inspiring.