birch: new beginnings

Recently, the silver birch constantly appears around the edges of my perception.  As I read about abandoned places, godforsaken, destroyed, toxic landscapes created by our disregard, and about the regrowth and the pioneers emerging in these left-alone landscapes. As I fret about climate change, consider the new-planted woodlands that are not enough, but it's a start, I have some hope about nature's resilience. As I walk on moors and hills and come across the solitary coloniser or speak to experts on invading species.  As I research the mythical, medicinal, edible and mark-making Beithe,sy the slender white symbol of new beginnings and luck, I pick up a strong feeling that nature will endure and maybe we will come back to a organic and complimentary relationship with our trees.