The Heart of a Tree Summary by Henry Cuyler Bunner

The beginning of the poem takes place with the question of the poet-‘what does he plant who plants a tree’. Then the poet himself explains the question by answering it in a very satisfactory manner. He tells the readers the significance and value of planting a tree. According to him, the man who plants a tree, plants a friend of sun and sky. The plant grows upwards as if it aspires to get in touch with the sun and sky so that they get a new friend in a tree. Moreover, the tree needs sunlight and air to stay alive. Also, the trees appear to soak up the heat and relieve the earth from the sweltering sun.

The poet now says that by planting a tree, man plants a flag that flies freely in the gentle breeze. The poet here compares the leafy branches of the tree to a flag and the trunk of the tree to the splendid shaft or pole of the flag that remains firm and tall. The tree also becomes a home for the birds singing melodiously high in the sky, close to heaven. Hence, by planting a tree, man renders the earth inhabitable for birds and facilitates in the conservation of the environment. In the serene and joyful twilight, man hears the symphonic song of these birds that twitter in harmony to the melody of the heaven.

The poet begins with the same question-‘what does he plant who plants a tree ?’ Then he proceeds to explain the motive behind the planting of a tree. The tree which is planted by the man, gives us comforting shade and aids to bring rain. Even after the inevitable passage of many years, the tree will remain when it is planted through its seeds producing new trees. Trees enhance the beauty of an unattractive and dull expanse of land with its green foliage and colourful blosson. Hence the trees are the glory of the plain. Furthermore, a tree planted today may transform into a forest with the passage of time and hence, by planting a tree now, the man plants a ‘forest’s heritage’. The poet says that planting a tree today would give fruits and other benefits to the future generations. The next generation will be able to enjoy its delightful benefits.

Next, the poet says that by planting a tree, man displays his devotion and affection towards his precious abode, the earth. Planting of the trees is also fulfilment of his social obligations since his action contributes to the growth of his nation and ultimately to the world that he inhabits. The process of advancement of his country germinates from the forward-looking idea in the man’s heart that plants a tree. The capitalization in ‘His’ by the poet almost gives a divine status to the man who plants a tree because he has the power and faculty to alter the destiny not only of his neighbourhood and nation but also in an indirect way, the whole of humanity. The concluding lines of the poem stress the significance of man’s heart, his feelings, dreams and aspirations behind planting a tree.

The Heart of a Tree Poem Summary Introduction

In the poem entitled The Heart of the Tree, the poet throws light on innumerable benefits of the tree. The poet makes a list of all those benefits which can be obtained by planting a large number of trees. In fact, while depicting the benefits of tree, the poet seems to be showing great concern for the welfare of human beings and the earth. He is very well aware of the fact that without trees and forests, there will be only disastrous situation on this earth. Through this poem the poet encourages all the human beings to plant more and more trees. The poet thinks that if we plant trees, we can make this planet a better habitat for the future generation. He considers trees to be the greatest wealth not only for the society but also for the nation.

The poet emphasises on having a generous attitude towards nature and its surroundings. He also asks man to have great sense of duty in planting tree so that he may be able to present an example before future generation. The poem talks about environmental protection and development without showing us the negative aspects of in human use of nature. In this poem, the poet presents a person with a heart who cares for the planet and therefore plants trees. The poet celebrates such men and points out that it is because of people like them that the world is still alive and progressing.

The Heart of a Tree Summary Stanzawise Word-Meanings, Paraphrase and Explanation

1. What does ………………………… a tree.
Word-meanings : A friend of sun and sky = the tree also becomes the part of nature like sun and sky. In other words, the tree is a friend of the sun as it depends on sunlight for its food and is the friend of sky as it takes in carbon dioxide from the air. A flag of breezes free = adding one more plant means to provide more soft and soothing wind. Shaft of beauty = ray, gleam of beauty. Towering high = growing as tall as a tower. A home to heaven anigh = a tree seems to be a heavenly home.

Anigh = near to. For song bird = the tree provides the shelter to the birds. The mother birds build their nests in order to take care of the baby birds and they sing songs or lullaby to them. Croon = song sung in a soft and sweet voice, a lullaby of a mother. Hushed = quiet, calm and peaceful atmosphere. Twilight = the time in the evening when the sun has already gone down and it is nearly dark. Treble = a high-pitched singing voice. Harmony = the way in which different musical notes played or sung at the same time to make a pleasing sound.

Paraphrase : The poet asks the question-‘what does he plant who plants a tree ?’ The answer is provided by the poet himself. He says that the person who plants a tree on this earth, plants a friend of the sun and the sky. The sun shines down from the heavens and the leaves of trees absorb the sunlight and take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and produce food by the process of photosynthesis and release oxygen into the air. The roots of the trees absorb nutrients from the soil and the leaves transpire and water evaporates and forms clouds in the sky which finally falls down as rain.

Thus the tree is a close friend of both sun and sky. The poet says that the man who plants a tree plants a flag which waves freely in the breeze. The tree is a tall shaft of beauty which towers high almost touching the heavens. This towering tree becomes a home near heaven for the mother bird that croons or sings softly to her young ones in the silent happy twilight hours. Her song, a high-pitched voice seems to emnate from the heavens and adds to the pleasant harmony of the universe. There are some of the things that a man plants when he plants a tree.

Explanation:
Reference to the Context: These lines making us aware of the benefits and importance of the trees, have been extracted from the poem entitled The Heart of the Tree, written by Henry Cuyler Bunner.
Here the poet tells us that the tree has the ability to form the congenial atmosphere, being a friend of sun and sky. It creates beauty around. It shelters birds which delight us with croonings in the evening. It turns the place into heaven. That is why, the poet praises one who plants a tree.

Explanation : After asking the question to the reader ‘what does he plant who plants a tree ? the poet himself answers by starting that the man plants a friend of sun and sky by planting a tree. A plant grows upward and aims to reach the sun and sky. So it is as if the sun and sky get a new friend in a tree. Secondly, the tree needs sunlight and air to survive and finally, the tree seems to absorb the heat and they save the earth from the scorching sun, giving an implication that the sun becomes friendly in the presence of the trees. The tree is called a friend of sky. It takes in carbon dioxide from the air and releases oxygen in the air and thus purify the air.

Also, the transpiration from trees is responsible for cloud formation in the sky before it rains. Further the poet adds that the man plants a flag that flies freely in the mild breeze. The poet here compares the leafy branches of the tree to a flag and the stem to the beautiful shaft of the flag that stands tall. As a flag flutters freely in the breeze, the leaves of the tree flutter and provide soothing, cool breeze to us. The tree grows high with its long narrow stem and looks like a beautiful tower. It appears that the tree has made a home closer to heaven. By planting a tree, the man plants a home for the sweet singing birds high in the sky, near the heaven. In quiet and happy twilight the birds can be heard chirping which is harmonious to heaven’s own tunes.

Critical Comments :

  1. The poet accentuates the import ance of trees in maintaining the holistic beauty of nature.
  2. The use of words like ‘heaven anigh’, ‘heaven’s harmony’ and ‘towering high’ is aimed at giving an impression that the work of planting a tree is indeed a heavenly and glorious deed.
  3. The last line of the stanza forms a logical whole with the opening line, one asking a question and the other completing the answer.
  4. ‘The shift high’ and ‘For song bird’ : Here the poet has used
    visual and auditory imageries.
  5. A friend sky : The use of alliteration.
  6. He plants free : Figure of speech metaphor.

2. What does ……………………… plants a tree.
Word-meanings : Bud = a small lump on a tree or plant that opens and develops into a flower or leaf. Days to be = the coming days ; times to come, future. And year again = due to seasonal cycle, the trees keep shedding their leaves and bearing new leaves. (This line may be explained in another way. As with the passage of time the old trees will wither away or die out new trees will grow up and brighten the forest again). Fade and flush = wither away and brighten up.

The glory of the plain = because of being the most glorious things of the plain, the trees provide beauty to the land. The forest’s heritage = forests are on natural heritage and whoever plants a tree therefore helps in maintaining the natural heritage. Heritage = things that have been passed on from earlier generations. Harvest age = it refers to the forest that has been created and is now accumulated wealth of future generation. In other words, whoever plants a tree, makes an investment for the future. The joy see = the tree which is being planted today, will bring joy and happiness for the children who are to be bom in future. Unborn eyes = it refers to the future generation who is yet to be born.

Paraphrase : The poet asks the same question to the reader and answers it himself in order to satisfy the curiosity of the reader. The poet says that when the tree grows up, it provides cool shade to the people. The travellers who travel on foot from one place to another place, take shelter to rest under its dense leafy branches. The animals are also seen sitting under its cool shade. It also causes the rain as it is scientifically proven that more trees bring more showers. Moisture from the leaves evaporates into the sky and then falls down on the earth as gentle rain. The man who plants a tree, plants the seeds and buds of the future. The tree will live for many years.

Due to seasonal cycle, its leaves may fall and then grow again. But one day when it grows old, it will wither away and then it will be replaced by new trees. The planting of trees creates the sprouting of undergrowth and thus glorious grassy plain takes place where cattle can graze. The planting of trees creates the forest’s heritage which will be inherited by many generations of the future. It also creates the harvest of the future as the tree will bear buds, leaves, flowers, fruits, wood and other necessary and beneficial things for many generations to come. Thus the man who plants a tree, plants joy that people not yet born will see—these are some of the things that the person plants while planting a tree.

Explanation :
Reference to the Context: These lines depicting tree a symbol of forest’s heritage and a living legacy for the next generation, have been extracted from the poem entitled The Heart of the Tree, written by Henry Cuyler Bunner.

The poet celebrates the plants, the nature and the person who plants a tree. The poet presents how a plant is the heart of the developmental process, how planting tree is the sure way to progress and how planting trees is care to the existence of future generations.

Explanation :The poet goes on to enumerate several other benefits of planting a tree. According to him, the tree which is planted by the man, provides us with cool shade and helps in bringing rain. A tree produces seed and bud in future years pass by silently but the tree remains there through its seeds producing new trees. Trees are the main elements that make a plain area green and beautiful. So, the poet describes trees as the glory of the plain. Moreover, today’s single tree may turn into a forest some day. So by planting a tree now the man plants a forest’s heritage. The tree which is planted today, would give fruits in coming days. The next generations would be delighted seeing so much vegetation and reap its benefits.

Critical Comments :

  1. The poet stresses on the importance of planting a tree for making this earth a better living place for future generations.
  2. The poet seems to be anxious about the future generation and thus for their survival, growth and development, he suggests a simple solution to plant tree.
  3. And years……………………again ; Here the poet has used the figure of speech alliteration.
  4. The Forest’s Heritage : The use of figure of speech metaphor.

3. What does …………………………. plants a tree.
Word-meanings : Sap = the liquid in a plant that carries food to all parts of it. In love loyalty = because of having an intense and sincere love for his family and his great spirit of faithfulness towards citizens. Far-cast = foresee. Civic good = the person’s thinking of the welfare of the city or its citizens. Far-cast good = the man who plants a tree, not only thinks of his own welfare but also for the public good. It seems as if he is blessing the neighbourhood by planting a tree.

Who hand = it refers to the person who is carrying a sapling in his both hands. ‘His’ indicates that the man who plants a tree is all-powerful and the destiny-maker of a nation. Hollow = empty space. Holds land = whosoever plants a tree ensures the growth of nation. From sea to sea = that is between the seas, lie the land where the trees can grow between which nations exist. Stirs tree = the key to the development of these lands lies in the heart of the person who plants a tree.

Paraphrase : The poet once again puts the same question and answers himself. He says that when a tree is planted, it produces sap which is the vital juice that circulates throughout the tree. It also produces leaves and wood. Thus the man who plants a tree does so because he loves his home and is loyal to the world he lives in. With immense foresight, he thinks of the civic good of others and showers his blessings on his entire neighbourhood when he plants that tree. That man who plants a tree holds in the hollow of his hands the growth of our entire land. He is responsible for the growth of a nation from one sea to the next and it is this thought that stirs in his heart-in the heart of the man who plants a tree.

Explanation :
Reference to the context: These lines depicting the ecological, social and economical benefits of planting a tree, have been extracted from the poem entitled The Heart of the Tree, written by Henry Cuyler Bunner.

Here the poet tells us that good values like love and loyalty are planted when one plants and nurtures a tree. He further adds that planting a tree also does civic good. He also emphasises the fact that a country’s growth and development depends upon the wealth of trees.

Explanation : The poet further elaborates the list of the advantages of planting trees and says that the person who plants a tree makes every attempt to create something which is for the public good. The person knows it very well that the plant which is being planted by him, cannot give him all the benefits but he thinks for the welfare of the future generation. The tree will shower all the blessings for the coming generation. By planting a tree the person shows his intense love and loyalty for the earth, his sense of civic duty and his blessings on the neighbourhood.

All these are reflected in the sap and leaf and wood, in every cell of the tree. By planting a tree the person directly or indirectly contributes to the nation’s growth. When a tree is planted, it sets in motion the progress of a nation from sea to sea. And all these start from the progressive thought in the person’s heart who plants a tree.

Critical Comments :

  1. The capitalization in ‘His’ indicates that the man who plants a tree is all-powerful and the destiny-maker of a nation.
  2. The last line talks about the man’s heart, his feelings, dreams and wishes behind the tree. This also leads to the poem’s title.
  3. The poet extremely relies on the fact that a country’s progress and development wholly depends upon the great treasure of trees.
  4. The poet rightly says that one who plants trees, plants many things- beauty, peace, prosperity and good values.
  5. From sea to sea : The figure of speech alliteration.

The Heart of a Tree Summary About the Poet

Henry Cuyler Bunner was born in 1855 at Oswego. New York. He came to the city of New york when he was very young and received his education there. A brief experience of business life sufficed to make his true vocation clear , and at the age of eighteen he began his literary apprenticeship on the Arcadian. Half of his short life was spent in editorial connection with the paper. To his wisdom and literary abilities is due in large measure the success “which has always attended the enterprise.

Bunner had an intimate knowledge of American character and understood the foibles of his countrymen, but he was never cynical and his satire was without hostility. He despised opportune journalism. His editorials were clear and vigorous; free not from partisanship, but from partisan rancour, and they made for honesty and independence. His firm stand against political corruption, socialistic vagaries, the misguided and often criminal efforts of labour agitators, and all the visionary schemes of diseased minds, has contributed to the stability of sound and self-respecting American citizenship.

Bunner’s first decided success in story-telling was ‘The Midge, which appeared in 1886. It is a tale of New York life in the interesting old French quarter of South Fifth Avenue. Again, in ‘The Story of a New York House’, he displayed the same quick feeling for the spirit of the place, as it was and is. This tale first appeared in the newly founded Scribner’s Magazine, to which he has since been a constant contributor. Here some of his best short stories have been published, including the excellent ‘Zadoc Pure’, with its healthy presentation of Independent manhood in contest with the oppressive exactions of labour organizations. But Bunner was no believer in stories with tendency; the conditions which he at the root of great sociological questions he used as artistic material, never as texts.

His stories are distinguished by simplicity of motive; each is related with fine unobtrusive humour and with an underlying pathos, never unduly emphasized. The most popular of his collections of tales is that entitled ‘Short Sixes’, which, having first appeared in Puck, were published in book form in 1891. A second volume came out three years later. When the shadow7 of death had already fallen upon Bunner, a new collection of his sketches was in process of publication : ‘Jersey Street and Jersey Lane.’ In these, as in the still more recent ‘Suburban Sage’, is revealed the same fineness of sympathetic observation in town and country that we have come to associate with Bunner’s name.

Among his prose writings there remains to be mentioned the series from Puck entitled ‘Made in France’. These are an application of the methods of Maupassant to American subjects; they display the wonderful facility in reproducing the flavour of another’s style which is exhibited in Bunner’s verse in a still more eminent degree. His prose style never attained the perfection of literary finish, but it is easy and direct, free from sentimentality and rhetoric; in the simplicity of his conceptions and the delicacy of his treatment lies its chief charm.

Bunner’s verse, on the other hand, shows a complete mastery of form. He was a close student of Horace; he tried successfully the most exacting of exotic verse-forms and enjoyed the distinction of having written the only English example of the difficult Chant Royal. His tenderness, his quick sympathy with nature, his insight into the human heart, above all, the love and longing that filled his soul, have infused into his perfected rhythms the spirit of universal brotherhood that underlies all genuine poetry. His ‘Airs from Arcady’ (1884) achieved a success unusual for a volume of poems; and the love lyrics and patriotic songs of his later volume, ‘Rowen, maintain the high level of the earlier book. The great mass of his poems is still buried in the back numbers of the magazines, from which the best are to be rescued in a new volume. He died on May 11, 1896, at the age of forty-one.

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