My name is Kirsten and I am a tree hugger. I’ve never understood why some people find that offensive. Truly…if someone liking trees challenges your political stance, you may be taking your politics a bit too far ;).

I celebrate that citizens and firefighters in Rockport, Texas share my passion for a tree.  Right outside the town there stands a 1,000 year old (yes, you read that correctly!) live oak tree which has been dubbed “The Big Tree.” It has–literally–stood the test of time and survived countless hurricanes. This summer’s drought, however, may have done it in if it weren’t for the kind volunteer firefighters who turned their fire hoses on the tree roots and drenched it with 11,000 gallons of water–enough to simulate 1/2 inch of rain.  If it doesn’t rain soon, firefighters will continue to water it every 10-14 days. Their thought  is “droughts will come and go…but this tree stays put. After all, its roots clearly hold much more than earth in place: a sense of pride in the community, too.” For the full story click here.

I’ll never forget the first time I saw the trees on our property. I had found the house and five-acres advertised on the Century 21 website and the price was so good we just had to go take a look.  The realtor was smart to show us the land *before* he showed us the house (which was a disaster!).  We walked past the barren one-acre yard…through the one acre of pasture…and in to the back acre of forest. My husband and I looked up at the gloriously tall and beautiful oak, walnut, and pecan trees and fell in love. Our heads were thrown back, eyes locked on those tall boughs, our voices husky as we both said in unison–with confidence, “We’ll take it!”

We’ve never regretted that decision–a decision made over passion: passion for a tree.