Commemorating "Trees"

I was almost embarrassed to admit, being a forester in the Southeastern U.S., that I had never visited the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest. It's located in the Nantahala National Forest in western North Carolina just eight hours from my home. It encompasses a stand of virgin cove hardwood and is one of those special places that anyone who wants to really experience the southern Appalachians must visit. I finally got my chance this summer and thoroughly enjoyed the few hours that I was able to spend there.

Coincidently, I discovered this week that August 2013 marks the 100th anniversary of the publication of Joyce Kilmer's most famous poem, "Trees." Regardless of the often cited technical and artistic flaws of the poem, it is revered by many a tree lover and has been recited by multitudes young and old over the last century. I share Kilmer's reverence for trees and respect that he gave his life for his country in World War I at the age of 31. So I pause to honor the man who gave a voice to all of us standing in awe of this magnificent forest, knowing "that only God can make a tree."