Once a seed is planted, it can take years (4-7) for a tree to begin bearing fruit. It must grow to strengthen and mature before it is ready to produce fruit. It first has to form its roots which gives it a foundation for stability and allows it to take in the nutrients it needs to grow. Roots spread out to draw in and collect nutrients from the soil, and also form a base that can hold it upright as it expands.
The soil is also a key element to plant health. The soil is a protective environment for growth and provides the food that plants need. If soil becomes infected with toxins or lacks proper nutrients, it weakens the health of the plant. Plants needs a variety of nutrients to form the elemental compounds that make up its body. These nutrients are transmitted by water that carry them into the roots and through the entire plant body, then the water is eventually released by evaporating into the air through the leaves, creating a constant flow. Under-nourished plants develop weak bodies, structures and internal systems that can’t withstand the naturally occurring aspects of the outer world environment, like sun, wind, and other living organisms.
Beneath the soil and from the roots, the stem/trunk emerges above ground which forms the body structure that will eventually hold the weight of the whole tree and allow it to stretch out to gather energy resources from the sunlight. The stem will continue to sprout more stems (branches) and leaves that become the lungs of the tree and help it to breath. It takes in carbon dioxide though the leaves (in the same way humans take in oxygen) and use that as a resource. And through the same leaves, the tree releases oxygen into the air that other animals breath in.
The tree spends years building the strength, resources and internal systems needed to hold the weight of the fruit and nourish it without sacrificing or harming its core structure. Producing fruit is the most energy intensive process and can only happen when the whole system is strong enough, functioning well and resourced to do so. Fruit is not a goal that the tree itself has, but rather it is the natural result of the tree’s healthy growth and evolution.
One thing that’s particularly remarkable about the tree, is that inside that very first seed that is planted, it contains all the wisdom and intelligence that is needed to grow and bear fruit. And inside the fruit itself, there are also seeds; so in effect, inside that one seed are thousands of other seeds, other trees, other fruit. And that fruit, once fully ripened, is either eaten as food by animal that will digest the fruit and release the seeds in its poop, or the fruit falls from the tree to the ground. Either way the fruit will be composted into the earth and become part of the rich soil that will be home to its new seeds. Thus, is the flow of life.
The life of a fruit tree teaches us a lot about human life as well. We need strong roots to keep us grounded, centered and stable as the winds of change inevitably blow. We need nourishment physically and emotionally so our body and internal systems can become strong and function in a healthy, sustainable way. We operate best when there is a consistent and unhindered flow. We must allow the natural passage of time required to develop and gather the resources needed to expand. We are part of a larger system where all things are working together, and we only need to focus on being our healthy selves in order for the system to work. We must remember that fruit naturally occurs when our structure and systems are healthy and we have sufficient resources. We already have within us the ability to create new life and be a blessing for what is to come.
“You shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season; whose leaf shall not wither; and whatsoever you do shall prosper.” Psalm 1:3
By Adrienne Burton
Copyright 2025 Adrienne Burton