Sample Images, Talk on Thoreau & Trees

A selection of images from

Thoreau and the Language of TreesRichard Higgins

© 2013 by Richard Higgins. All rights reserved.

I. An Eye for Trees

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Photograph by Richard Higgins

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A pen-and-ink drawing

A snowstorm, which began in the night, is now three or four inches deep. The ground, more than half bare before, is thus suddenly concealed, and the snow lodges on the trees and fences and sides of houses. I see how the trees, especially apple trees, are suddenly brought out relieved against the snow, black on white, every twig as distinct as if it werea pen-and-ink drawing the size of nature. The snow being spread for a background, while the storm confines your view to near objects, each apple tree is distinctly outlined againstit. It is a moist snow, lodging on trees — leaf, bough, and trunk.

February 16, 1860


When I come through the village at ten o'clock this cold night, the heavy shadows of the elms, covering the ground with their rich tracery, impress me as if men had got so much more than they bargained for — not only trees to stand in the air, but to checker the ground with their shadows. At night they lie along the earth. They tower, they arch, they droop over the streets like chandeliers of darkness.


It is remarkable how universal these grand murmurs are, these backgrounds of sound−the surf, wind in the forest, waterfalls, etc.− which yet to the ear and in their origin are essentially one voice, the earth voice, the breathing or snoring of the creature. The earth is our ship, and this is the sound of the wind in her rigging as we sail.

January 2, 1859

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Sample Images, Talk on Thoreau & Trees

Art & Photos

Transcript of Sample Images, Talk on Thoreau & Trees