'I think that I shall never see,
A poem as lovely as a tree'
and there are those who give us statistics on just how lovely a tree is.
For example
- an average tree can remove 1 ton of carbon dioxide from the air
- a mature tree can pump 100 gallons of water from the ground and expel it into the air through transpiration
- trees help cool the erth by cooling the ground and air around them
- hospital patients are said to recover faster when they have a room with a view of trees
- a family of four can get all the oxygen they need for a whole year from one average mature tree
If the wedding ceremony is in their home, they might plant the tree in the garden. If somewhere else, they might use a pot initially and later transplant the tree into their garden.
Here's a tree-planting text for those who'd like to add this symbolic ritual to their wedding ceremony.
Celebrant:
When two people meet and see each other reflected in their thought, speech and action, they recognize each other as kindred spirit they have been searching for all their lives.
It is this type of relationship which has brought (Groom) and (Bride) here today.
In committing themselves to each other, (Groom) and (Bride) see their relationship as a growing, maturing union.
They are symbolising this through the planting of a tree in soil which has been brought from the household of each of their families.
(Tree is planted)
(Groom) and (Bride) always remember, that just as this tree needs nurturing, so does your relationship.
