Wood Apple Tree and Indian Seasons

In my life, nature has been the strongest influencer. I have always loved spending time in the terrace watching nature. The backyard at home had some interesting plants and trees to explore nature.

The Wood Apple tree was the oldest tree of them all. This particular tree has been a part of my life almost since my childhood. I had written a poem on this tree in 2000

MY WOOD APPLE TREE (Poem Written in the year 2000)

On my backyard
He had a home
A fine spirit
From the fruiting family.

On a Spring
He begins again
The leaves on frail branches
Turned light green.

On a Summer
He changes again
The leaves on frail branches
Turned leather green.

On a Autumn
He drops them
The leaves off frail branches
Turned dark yellow

On a Winter
He is bare
The leaves from frail branches
Now lies on the floor.

I see him from far
On his Spring
On his Summer
On his Autumn

But comes Winter
I am by his side
That is when
He is close to me.

• Srividya Suryanarayanan

Please note the below text are imagined and made up story, do read them with some caution towards being influenced!

Reminiscing About My Late Friend

It is nearly more than a decade since I last saw the majestic tree and even today my eyes mist over when I think of the tree. I always found a tree to be an elderly wise person and all you need to do was stand under them to feel a great change within.

I really feel that if you had not spent time with nature you are missing out on something that is exceptional. Living in the concrete jungle can paralyse the mind and the spirit of any person. But, one hour in the company of nature, is gift from Mother Earth lovingly given to you.

A Confidante Non-Parallel

My wood apple tree is more of a confidante than a best friend. I am overly imaginative to have conversations with the trees. Like the Little Prince’s Rose flower plant, I also had great affection for the tree.

It felt more like a communion with a dear empathetic friend. I imagined that my wood apple tree was someone who loved to listen to me. So, sharing moments, thoughts, and just being became inspirational for both of us.

I always thought of the wood apple tree as a HE and not a SHE. I don’t know why?!! But, that is the way I addressed my close friend. It might seem surprising but tree do hear too.

Conversations Galore!

On days, when I have shared sad information, I felt that the tree stood tall and rooted for me. But on days, when I have shared happy information, the tree would cheer me and join in my celebration.

I used to enjoy watching seasons pass in Chennai by observing this tree. I could see it in the churning spirit of the tree. My friend had a message from the season for me wrapped in his loving enthusiasm.

The Indian Seasons Together With My Friend

Vasanta | वसन्त |Spring (March to May)
During Vasanta ritu my friend whose branches would slowly shows signs of new leaves. The young leaf green color of the leaves are such a pleasure to watch and enjoy.

At this stage, the wood apple tree is very young as if a newly born child. During this season I generally tend to keep my conversation rather innocent sharing of ideas.

The section of Spring brings forward the thought that like circling season our days of sadness will keep changing and better days are right ahead of us!

Grishma | ग्रीष्म |Summer (May to July)
During the summer the leaves become darker shade of green. I feel the young fiery attitude of the tree reflected in the dark greens. The tree’s fierce leonine personality is on full display. During this season my conversation with the tree becomes a little bit more intellectual.

Sometimes, the tree is so naturally open-minded, but it wouldn’t break my soul’s silence because even at this point the tree is much too young. But we discussed matters of the heart while holding on to our individual skewed understanding. One thing that I learned about nature is that if you scrutinise it very minutely, then nature would start withering.

Varsha | वर्षा |Monsoon (July to September)
Monsoon season is the time when the Cuckoo in the tree would begin her sweet strain of ancient lore from the past. I would find myself transported to the verdant environment. When the showers of rain wash away the dust settled on the leaves, the tree looks brand new and brilliant with vibrant colours.

I watched the tree from the comfort of my room and my soul would be shaped by the new lease on life the tree gives me. There was such pleasure bursting forth from the experience of just watching the rainwater drip down on the earth.

The essence of the land rises and touches the soul deep within. I felt the fragrant essence of the tree’s presence even on those areas of human mind that are not accessible for common place human sentiments. The experience is much more poetic and special.

Sharada | शरद् |Autumn (September to November)
This season starts off with leaves turning to yellow and ochre colours splashed everywhere. There was sense of the season hinting about the fast approaching change in my being. Change always being the common factor for all lives on earth.

I watch the tree from terrace and our communion happened in the sequence of fall songs turning and churning in my heart. The conversation turns to emotions and a few serious topics are dealt with, but there is a spiritual silence, that I am able to interpret from deep within.

Hemanta | हेमन्त |Pre-winter (November to January)
The leaves start falling and it feels like the tree is dropping its entire personality. The best moment is when the falling leave sets loose the imprints of my spirit. I know for sure that the tree has become a reflection of my soul.

I would still not go close to the tree as its leaves start falling on the ground marking ochre colour ranged soft carpet around the tree. Something within my heart would give way inside. I would see the majestic being in the tree that kept changing right in front of me.

Shishira | शिशिर |Winter (January to March)
By winter, my backyard brings in the Russian folklore’s Baba Yaga’s magic, my wood apple tree would be completely stripped of all its leaves. Without its leaves the tree looked still its wise-higher-self. It taught me that you can gracefully accept changes in your life and grow old majestically.

At this time, I would go join my wood apple tree. Even without his leaves and an occasional sparrow resting on its branches, my wood apple was the most charming. I felt closeness to the tree on this season that I never found in his other seasons.

The scene around him was a mix of ochre and warm brown. There is a sense of gentleness of spirit that I found so fascinating and attractive about the tree. There was no need for words because everything is spoken and understood between us.

These days whenever I feel alone, I pick the poem that I wrote about my wood apple tree and feel the magic again. The wood apple tree had become so much to me. I always felt a kinship with trees of all kind. A tree can bring back the magic into my life.

Image Source : Image of Wood Apple and Its Fruits