The Heart Of The Tree

WHAT does he plant who plants a tree? He plants a friend of sun and sky; He plants the flag of breezes free; The shaft of beauty, towering high. He plants a home to heaven anigh For song and mother-croon of bird In hushed and happy twilight heard - The treble of heaven's harmony - These things he plants who plants a tree. What does he plant who plants a tree? He plants cool shade and tender rain, And seed and bud of days to be, And years that fade and flush again; He plants the glory of the plain; He plants the forest's heritage; The harvest of a coming age; They joy that unborn eyes shall see - These things he plants who plants a tree. What does he plant who plants a tree? He plants, in sap and leaf and wood, In love of home and loyalty And far-cast thought of civic good - His blessing on the neighborhood Who in the hollow of His hand Holds all the growth of all our land - A nation's growth from sea to sea Stirs in his heart who plants a tree.