Are you a treegirl or treeboy?

My name is “TreeGirl” (capital T, capital G) because so much of my life’s purpose, identity, and bliss revolve around meeting and photographing myself in the nude with trees around the world. Trees are my passion and purpose. I love learning about and from trees, educating others about trees and how to connect with them, having an ineffable spiritual connection with trees, and being in loving, respectful service to them.

I kind of think I was chosen by the trees; I don’t really have a choice about whether to be TreeGirl. Writing and publishing a book about trees really means writing and publishing a book on behalf of the trees. It means being in service to the trees because, hey, they can’t write or take photos (but they sure can pose, and they have a lot to say!).

But I certainly do not claim to be the only girl (or woman) who has a special connection with trees. While females are said to be “closer to nature,” there are many of us— female and male — who have meaningful connections with trees. Perhaps you already identify yourself as a tree hugger, or tree lover, or nature lover, or maybe none of those.

But what does it mean to be a treegirl or treeboy?

To be a treegirl or treeboy you don’t have to be naked with the trees, you simply have to love trees. (But we never know where a love can take us.) To find out if you are indeed a treegirl or treeboy, see how many of the following statements you can answer ‘yes’ to:

1. You love trees.
2. I mean, you reallllly love trees.
3. You have, or once had, a favorite tree—or have some sort of connection with a tree.
4. You sit up against a tree or in its branches for leisure.
5. You hug, embrace, or touch trees with gratitude, awe, and affection.
6. You climbed trees as a child, and are still inclined to do so.
7. You have planted or cared for trees. You are an arborist, tree worker, forester, horticulturist, orchardist, or landscaper.
8. You are a botany geek who knows the Latin names of trees and fascinating scientific facts about them.
9. You don't care what the Latin names or scientific facts about trees are; you just call them “tree,” their common name, or some other name.
10. You have protected trees through some sort of activism.
11. You collect real acorns, pinecones, tree seeds, leaves, or driftwood, and you display them around your home.
12. You draw, paint, sculpt, photograph, write poetry, or perform music about or for trees.
13. You’ve fantasized about living in a tree house—or you actually live in one.
14. You feel pain when you see bad tree pruning, or trees being chipped or cut down.
15. You feel drawn to certain trees when you see them, and you want to connect with them.
16. You may gasp, sigh, or feel physical pleasure in the presence of certain trees.
17. You often prefer being in the company of trees, rather than with people.
18. You talk or sing to trees; trees talk or sing to you.
19. You have made love in or under a tree, or were conceived in one.
20. You've had "ineffable spiritual experiences" with trees.
21. You have wished you were a tree, or perhaps you want to be a tree in your next life.
22. You identify with or acknowledge "the Tree People."
23. You enjoy being naked in nature, especially around trees.
24. You have taken photos of yourself naked with a tree (or want to – secretly or not so secretly).
25. Your ultimate wish is to "become the forest."

 
Well, treegirls and treeboys, how did you do?