“A Never-Failing Friend: Reflections from a Youth Tree Tender”

This article appeared in the print edition of our special issue of the October Southwest Globe Times

A Never-Failing Friend: Reflections from a Youth Tree Tender

By Mikaya Woodard

Hi, my name is Mikaya Woodard and I love being a Tree Tender because trees are beautiful. Dealing with trees, personally, it helps me with my personal life and well-being, taking my time, practicing patience, and freedom.

In the Fall, I love to be under the Maple tree because of their leaves and they produce syrup. They can live a long time, from 100 to 400 years old. Sitting near a tree or around it helps me feel relief. Trees help us with stress. They comfort us and provide food and wood. They clean our air and filter our water. They take up carbon dioxide and provide us with oxygen. They are a never-failing friend.

By being a Tree Tender helps me better myself by watching who I hang with, staying on honor roll, being around honest and caring people. And it brings me what I need the most: peace and happiness.

Mikaya is a youth intern in the ROOTS Tree Crew at Bartram’s Garden and is a member of the Southwest Tree Tenders.