A world without trees is impossible to imagine. The tree stands as a universal mythological archetype symbolising interconnectedness, immortality and the endless cycle of rebirth. Ancient cultures almost universally recognised this cosmic nexus. Norse mythology features the immense ash tree Yggdrasil connecting nine realms. The Celts revered the Crann Bethadh for its wisdom, while the sacred Tree of Life features prominently in Kabbalistic Judaism, early Christianity and ancient Mesoamerican traditions.
For Indigenous Australians, this connection runs deeper still. Trees represent vastly more than natural resources or abstract symbols: they remain living kin intricately bound to spirituality, physical survival and the Dreaming. Within this holistic worldview, absolutely everything belongs to country. Massive, ancient river red gums with hollowed centres often served as birthing trees.
