I just finished watching an animated movie based on a book called by the same title The Man Who Planted Trees. I have seen it before but am always intrigued and moved by the story. The short animated film is narrated by Christopher Plummer (Captain von Trapp) and won an oscar in 1988. I think everyone should at least see it once in their life if not own it. The story talks of a simple man who by the endless toil of planting trees and his love for the land he changes the face of the countryside from a barren wasteland to a verdant paradise in just over 30 years. We have been talking in my landscape materials class (plant ID) about creating microclimates but this man in the story reached so far as to creating a macroclimate. This happened to the Salt Lake valley. When the pioneers found the place where they were to live--it looked like a barren desert(it was). Now it is very lush and green and the climate is much milder--all because (I believe) of trees and hard work. I think that this is the way God has fulfiled his promises to the saints in areas like Utah and Idaho. By their planting of trees to change the almost uninhabitable areas to great places to live.....Well, I have probably said enough for now.
