Trees and new beginnings

The practice of tree-planting – formally adopted in Israel in 1908 – relates directly to the country’s reforestation efforts.

By ITSIK MAROM
Tu Bishvat fallen tree 521 (photo credit: Itsik Marom)
Tu Bishvat fallen tree 521
(photo credit: Itsik Marom)
Tu Bishvat is upon us, and with it the celebration of trees, spring and new beginnings.
The practice of tree-planting – formally adopted in Israel in 1908 – relates directly to the country’s reforestation efforts.
This year, these efforts take on special importance in light of the giant fire in the Carmel mountain range six weeks ago.
For five terrible days, fire dominated and ate up everything in its way, and our nation paid a heavy price with the loss of 44 lives. Whatever ignited that fire, whether by accident or not, the result was major damage to life and nature. It will take decades to overcome the damage completely.
Forty percent of the wonderful Carmel Forest is gone, and in its place lie vast areas of black, naked trees and soil. The fire left nothing in its path: no birds, insects, reptiles or mammals.
However, nature is resilient, and experts believe it is only a matter of time before the forest is rejuvenated.
Wildfires happen everywhere. This is not news, and sometimes fires can even be healthy for forests, giving other plant species a chance to burst out and succeed against older, more controlling vegetation in a fairer fight for sunlight.
Today, after just those few weeks, nature is already showing its power in the Carmel. Starting small and fragile, spots of color can be discerned amid their gloomy black and gray surroundings A pink sitvanit (colchicum) flower blooms right from the ground; a bunch of proud daffodils (narcissus) stand tall.
Both these flowers are geophytes, plants with storage organ bulbs. They survived the fire since they were buried underground, safe from the massive devastation above. Another phenomenon helping the recovery of the forest plants is the nutrients that were locked in the trees: They have returned to the system and are now available for the new growth.
Alongside the natural rejuvenation, however, this man-made devastation will require some help from man to fix the mess – clearing away the burned-out tree trunks and making wise ecological decisions in order to best assist in the healing process.
As we celebrate the upcoming Tu Bishvat holiday, we must recognize the importance of trees and nature in our lives, and join in the effort of tree-planting throughout the forests of Israel.
More of Itsik Marom’s work can be seen at www.imnaturephoto.com