Summary of the Poem:
The poem entitled The Heart of the Tree has been written by Henry Cuyler Bunner with great feeling about the benefits of planting a tree. The poem was originally published in 1912. In the poem, the poet describes the innumerable benefits of trees and claims that people who plant trees, plan for a future and that too for people whom they do not even know. The poet shows that planting a tree is always a great work for the mankind, but he finds out new ways to look at the plants and plantation. In the poem he glorifies the act further, shows how a tree helps life on earth and says that it has a direct connection to a nation's growth.
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| Poem The Heart of the Tree by Henry Cuyler—Summary and Theme |
In the poem, the poet celebrates the plants, the nature and the person who plants a tree. The poet presents how a plant is the heart of developmental process, how planting trees is the sure way to progress and how planting trees is core to the existence of future generation. The poet seems to be anxious about the upcoming generation and thus for their survival , growth and development . He seems to be making an indirect appeal to all human beings of the world that they should plant trees for the well-being of society and its citizens.
Through the poem, the poet also gives a great moral. As the heart of tree is full of kindness and generosity and does not show any discrimination and blesses all those who take care of it or even who neglect it, in the same way the human beings should create an emotional attitude towards tree and knowing it the most important part of their life and earth, they should care it and give their contribution in growing more trees and thus they should make the universe a heaven.
The poem opens with the refrain which asks ‘what does he plant who plants a tree?’ and that sets the tone for the entire poem. We at once come to know that the poet is going to explain the benefits of planting a tree. However, the poet himself answers by stating that one who plants a tree, plants a friend of sun and sky. A plant grows upwards and aims to reach the sun and the sky. So it is as if the sun and the sky get a new friend in a tree. The tree is a friend of the sun because it (the tree) needs sunlight to carry out the process of photosynthesis and make its food. Similarly the tree is a friend of the sky. It takes in Carbon dioxide from the air and releases oxygen in the air and thus purifies the air. Also the transpiration from trees is responsible for cloud formation in the sky before it rains. Then the poet adds that the man plants a flag that flies freely in the mild breeze. The poet here compares the leafy branches of the tree to a flag and the stem to the beautiful shaft of the flag that stands tall. By planting a tree the man plants a home for the sweet singing birds high in the sky, near the heaven. So, he keeps the earth habitable for birds and helps in maintaining the eco - system. In quiet and happy twilight we can hear those birds chirping which is harmonious to heaven's own tunes.
Again the poet repeats the same question and makes his best attempt to answer it. The tree which the man plants, provides us with cool shade and helps in bringing rain. When, with the passage of time the tree becomes matured, it bears seeds and buds for the future progeny. After many years the old trees will wither away and these seeds will grow into new trees and into dense forest. Trees are the main elements that make a plain area green and beautiful. So the poet describes trees as the glory of the plain. Moreover, today's single tree may turn into a forest someday. So by planting a tree the man plants a forest's heritage. The poet mentions that planting a tree today would give fruits in coming days. The next generation would be delighted seeing so much vegetation and reap its benefits. So, all the credit goes to the man who plants a tree.
Then, again, the poet puts the same questions and answers it himself. By planting a tree the man shows his love and loyalty for the earth (which is his home), his sense of civic duty and his blessings on the neighbourhood. The human beings can get food from the plants ' sap and leaves. Besides it, they can get wood for their use. By planting a tree the man directly and indirectly contributes to the nation's growth. When a tree is planted, it sets in motion the progress of a nation from sea to sea. And all these start from the progressive thought in the man's heart who plants a tree.
Theme of the Poem:
In the poem, the poet highlights the importance of trees and forests in the life of human beings and other creatures. He tells us great concern of man with nature. From time immemorial, there is an all - embracing attachment of man with nature, particularly, his dependence on trees. Trees are essential for his survival. However, with the passage of time man's attitude to nature and to trees has become inimical and disastrous. There has been massive deforestation because of man's greed for agricultural land and timber and necessity of cheap fuel. This large scale deforestation remains, even today, a menace to the biodiversity of our environment. It is significant that man comprehends his role in preserving the balance of the environment in nature for his own benefit and survival. He should review his stance towards nature when he realises the importance of the trees. Trees are of great importance to man in all spheres of his life. The planting of a tree is not merely a mechanical action but an act of personal, social and global importance. The planting of a tree is a gesture that proclaims one's intention to serve humanity since the tree benefits not only the individual that plants it but also the society and , in a wider scheme of things , the humanity.
Here, in the poem, the poet seems to be extremely worried about the existence of the earth and the creatures living on it. Taking in his view the impending destruction of the earth, he makes a universal appeal in indirect way to plant trees not only for individual purpose but also for the future generation. Hence, the poet presents the beneficial aspects of planting a tree. The poem not only appreciates the action of planting a tree but also honours the heart of a person who does this noble and benevolent act.
