Abstract
In an example of governmental wisdom, the state of Hawaii has instituted an “Exceptional Tree Program, ” complete with tax deductions for maintenance, advice on pruning, a nomination process, etc. (Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 58 (Act 105, Session Laws of Hawaii 1975) – Exceptional Tree Act, 1975.) Criteria for exceptional tree status state a tree must meet one or more of the criteria: Historic or Cultural Value ; Age; Rarity; Location; Size; Esthetic Quality; Endemic Status. Two new books argue for another criterion: wisdom. Is this even possible? What could wisdom mean in a tree, or for the category of trees? In their book Wise Trees, Diane Cook and Len Jenshel present photographs of magnificent trees from around the world, describe their attributes that led to the authors claim they are “wise,” often size or historical significance. But in spite of their title, none of the modes of significance is precisely wisdom. Could trees be–wise? In The Wisdom of Trees: Thinking Through Arboreality (SUNY Press, David Macauley and Laura Pustarfi, editors), I offer definitions of wisdom and considerations of how these might apply to trees literally and symbolically (setting aside metaphorical applications and sacred trees), and examine how East Asian philosophy and the arts think about these issues. If East Asian thinkers are correct about the capabilities of trees to be wise (as I demonstrate they are), their thinking has important ramifications for how we understand and treat the built and natural environments.
Presenters
Mara MillerResearch Associate, Lecturer in Japanese Studies, Center for Japanese Studies and Center for Biographical Research - formerly East Asian Languages and Literatures and Religion, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Hawaii, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Landscape, Architecture, Aesthetics, Arboreality, Trees, Wisdom, Interpretation, Parks, Information
