What do we plant when we plant a tree? A thousand things that we daily see, We plant the spire that out-towers the crag, We plant the staff for our country's flag; We plant the shade from the hot sun free, We plant all these when we plant the tree.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Planting a tree symbolizes creating many lasting benefits—shade, national symbols, and enduring beauty.
- In plain terms
- A tree provides shade, symbols, and lasting value.
- What can you take from it?
- Planting trees yields multiple long‑term benefits.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What long‑term values do you seek in a project?
- How can you balance immediate and future benefits?
Another view
Trees take time to mature and may not meet immediate needs.
More from Henry Abbey
McMahon up the street of Paris came, In triumph from Magenta. Every one Had heard and praised the fearless marshal's name, And gloried in the deeds that he had…
Permalink to quote #2
Related quotes
I nauseate walking; 'tis a country diversion, I loathe the country.
William CongreveWilliam Congreve quote #28 This bird sees the white man come and the Indian withdraw, but it withdraws not. Its untamed voice is still heard above the tinkling of the forge... It remains…
Henry David ThoreauHenry David Thoreau quote #43 Father Latour judged that, just as it was the white man's way to assert himself in any landscape, to change it, make it over a little (at least to leave some m…
Willa CatherWilla Cather quote #70