I would not be normally drawn to a documentary about trees. In this case, what caught my attention was the fact that the director was Irene Taylor, who recently released the excellent documentary on Celine Dion. I was not disappointed. In this film, different stories intertwine in unexpected ways, very much like the branches Irene and her son clear from an old tree at the beginning of the movie. The lush cinematography doesn't hurt either.

Today I was watching my grandchildren play at the park and my wife called my attention to a gorgeous tree behind the playground. I wonder if she would have noticed before we watched this film. I can say that I certainly looked at the tree with new eyes, more full of wonder. This alone tells me this documentary was worth watching.

This documentary explores some of the many ways humans interact with trees, and how trees hold our stories. From logging, planting, and photographing trees to the art form of bonsai trees and the people who create them, in collaboration with nature. I know this will encourage me to take a closer look at the trees around me, and a greater appreciation of how powerful and persistent they are. The way the stories are interwoven is very artful, and they overlap in interesting way, most coming to a satisfying stopping point, others leaving the viewer with concerns and/or questions to pursue. This film is also simply beautiful, with some of the most striking scenery I've ever seen. Very memorable. Perfect title, too.

It's a different approach. It highlights the stories of people in contrast to the trees, which are often generations old. If you think about it that way, each tree might have a thousand stories. The documentary also highlights how fragile trees are.

I know this. I have a few acres and lost about 20 trees in a tornado. I've spent the last four years planting about 100 or so trees of which perhaps 60 are alive. My point being, they are easy to destroy, but hard to reestablish.

We need trees. And they can grow back. Subduing the earth does not mean destroying it. Good stewardship is vital. It's part of all of our stories.