When I was growing up in Glen Ellyn, there was a beautiful big hawthorn tree on our corner. As kids we climbed this tree, branches for each of us.

Forty years ago, before we had children, we had a newly planted ash tree. The children came later and grew with the tree.

Over 50 years ago my grandfather planted a corkscrew willow in his backyard.  As the tree reached maturity and was close to the end of its life cycle, my grandfather took a branch and placed i

My grandmother passed away in 1991. As part of her will, she left $100 to each of her grandchildren. I used my $100 to buy a Pin Oak sapling from Wannamakers in Downers Grove, IL.

My son David and his wife Patty already had three beautiful, healthy kids when their son Dawson was born in October 2011.

So what makes a great “tree-mendous” story?

While attending Northern Illinois University, I was shown a fascinating tree outside of one of the lecture halls.

Whenever little Raymond and his mother visited the Morton Arboretum, he insisted that they visit the “owl tree” on the west side of the park.

We walk together, hand in hand, breathing the chilly air and breathing out small puffs of smoke. The special quiet of snow has descended. The familiar crunchy sound of fresh snow under our boots.

My younger sister recently married her best friend and the love of her life. It was a truly beautiful ceremony and reception!

It started almost 30 years ago. My wife and I had taken our only child at the time to the Morton Arboretum to spend the day.

We moved into our house in May of 1998. Our son was seven and our triplets eight months old. When school started, we posed our oldest in front of the catalpa and took his picture.

My daughter was supposed to have twins in May, but one didn't make it. Soon we are planning on planting a tree in memory of the twin.

I love trees, so when I see sickly ones that have reached their natural end, I do what needs to be done and replace them.

Have you felt anything from a tree? Sure, comfort from sitting it its shade, amazement at its beauty, wonder at the intricacy of a leaf--more than that? Sometimes, the living trees give a gift.

Along a winding pathway, surrounded by beautiful gardens, stands a 116-year-old Ginkgo tree that has become like an old friend to five generations in our family.  Planted in 1902, it stands wi

 I stepped onto the crumbling asphalt trail

and followed it to the local wood where I stepped inside

and as I walked I watched the trees give way

I grew up on the south side of Chicago.  My next-door neighbor had the oldest, tallest silver maple that sprawled over our front yard as well, so of course I considered it my tree.

A good picnic spot needs two things: a good view and some shade. I have had picnics on the sides of mountains, near scenic lakes, and crowded in a car on a rainy day.