Dr. Jim, The Tree Whisperer

"Hey! Whatcha doin'?"

2011-02-24T19:11:00.000-05:00

I was working on a Maple tree in Blairstown, NJ. This tree is in front of a stately home with lots of woods around. While I was doing my bioenergy healing treatment on the Maple, it was obvious to me that the other Maples, Pines and other trees nearby were reaching out their energy fields. It was as if they were saying "Hey! Whatcha doin' with our buddy?"
They wanted some of the energy treatment as well. It's a little like when someone rubs your shoulders. Everybody else in the room wants that, too.
I could feel the other trees' energy fields leaning toward me. They were reaching out to be in my energy field and the energy field of the sick tree I was treating. This gave me a whole new feeling for community and how trees operate in community.
So, I told the other trees that I realized they were there.
I said to them: "I know you're here. I want you to have the treatment as well. Please help this sick tree."
They were very willing to help.

Larch in Fair Haven, NJ with spot

2011-01-05T13:22:00.001-05:00

This majestic old Larch tree started showing a bleeding spot in August of 2010.

After my bioenergy healing treatment, the spot started to clear. Here is it on September 2nd, 2010

As of January 5th, 2011, it was completely clear.

Lindens with leaking spots and Phytopthora, Southampton, Long Island, NY

2010-11-10T12:53:00.003-05:00

A row of 30 large Linden trees were transplanted on this housing development 2 years before I got there.

Irrigation was used to keep them watered.

Some of the trees showed leaking spots and showed Phytopthora canker.

These photos taken August 24th, 2010.

By August 30, the long spot was already dry...the twin Phytopthora spots were showing a bit of improvement.

On October 18th, the long spot was still dry and the twin Phytopthora spots were clearing.

Golf Course in NE USA able to reopen

2010-09-07T15:08:00.017-04:00

A prominent golf course in the Northeast had to shut down because its greens were dying. See how spotty this looks in July?

I solved the mystery.

On August 23rd, the greens were coming back.

Then, by September 7th, the golf course reopened. See how nicely Green #2 filled in?

Englewood NJ Oak Tree with Leaking Area

2010-09-04T18:00:00.003-04:00

When a trees leaks, its circulation is blocked and it can not move its inner fluids up or down properly. Therefore, it pushes the fluids out through areas of the bark that are the path of least resistance.

These photos were taken on July 17th, 2009.

On September 4th of 2010, I was in the area so I visited the tree.

I was delighted to see that all the leaking had stopped.

ASH TREE, 3 Months later

2010-08-10T18:46:00.003-04:00

From the May 5th, 2010 post...
This is the same Ash Tree today...

Sabine's Hemlock Hedge in Greenwich, CT

2010-06-15T12:04:00.004-04:00

Salt Damage to an estate's Hemlock Hedge from previous winter, photo taken April 23rd.

After treatment, photo taken May 26th.

A local landscaper stopped the owner while she was walking her dog. He said that he had been watching the Hedge and was worried about it. He told her he was amazed at how it 'came back to life.' The owner told him it was a no-product , energy-healing, holistic approach to heal the hedge. She gave him my phone number.

Melinda's Hickory in Summer 2010

2010-05-26T16:47:00.012-04:00

On January 25, 2010, I posted about Melinda's Hickory and its come-back in fall of 2009.

Take a look at it now!!

Read its story in my upcoming book...Tree Whispering: A Nature Lover's Guide to Touching, Healing and Communicating with Trees, Plants and All of Nature.

ASH TREE 2 days after treatment

2010-05-05T19:29:00.000-04:00

Is the before and after shots due to the treatment or just normal 2 days growth? You be the judge!!!!
The treatment was all about circulation inside the tree and photosynthesis for food (carbohydrate) production. It included getting maximum use out of the food the tree makes in order to give the tree enough energy to drive circulation and other functionality. Of course, that meant the tree had to push out more leaves to make food.

Time will tell how much this Ash tree recovers from being in decline.

BEFORE, MAY 3, 2010

AFTER, MAY 5, 2010

105 Year Old Lemon Tree, Westport, CT

2010-04-16T19:00:00.001-04:00

Gilberties Herb Farm and Garden Center in Westport, CT, hosted us for an introductory talk.

The manager, Carrie Gilbertie and her sister Heather, told us about a wonderful tree that great-grandfather Gilbertie brought over from Italy as a little slip in a pot. This tree belonged to great-grandmother Gilbertie...it was 'hers.'

Carrie explained that Great-grandma Gilbertie was very protective of the tree and its lemons. Sadly, she passed away about 5 years ago in her 90's...but to this day, if anyone wants a lemon, here's what they do:

They approach the tree with reverence and think about "Nona." They ask the tree for permission to have a lemon. Then, they go away for about :20 minutes. When they come back, there is a lemon on the ground, under the tree waiting for them.

This, to me, shows the power of respect for trees and the value of asking them for permission.

Carrie said that the tree was showing signs of weakness, so I did my healing work with it. One of the interesting things that came up was that the tree wanted to be more of a showpiece. After all, it said it was 105 years old.

So, Carrie and Heather started immediately moving things away in the greenhouse so that the tree could be easily seen. And, they made plans to put the tree on the herb garden tour.

Sal Gilbertie, 3rd generation owner, told us the story about how expensive it was to refurbish the greenhouse that the Lemon Tree lives in...but that he HAD to do it because he loves this 105 year old wise tree and Nona, his grandmother, loved the tree.

After holistic energy-healing treatment, it felt like the tree was trying to stand taller. Well, of course. It had to now be the showpiece of the garden center.

Fallen Tree Saved

2010-04-06T17:00:00.015-04:00

New Jersey got rain...and more rain...and more rain at the end of March.

This 25' pine tree lost its footing and fell over. Sorry that we do not have pictures of it laying pathetically flat...we didn't have a camera at the time. But we did help to stand it up!

The tree was in shock. It felt like the earth let go of it...and it didn't expect such a thing to ever happen.

So we straightened up the tree with the help of 5 burly guys, some ropes and a small tractor.

Then, I connected the roots of the tree back to the earth. It took a little while, but the tree did calm down. All is well now. The tree stands with support ropes on it.

It feels like the ropes "pinch" but told my business partner, Basia, that it appreciates the stability that the ropes give it.

Sugar Maple Trees Starving Themselves, Bedminster, NJ

2010-03-24T21:25:00.001-04:00

Trees eat sunlight. They produce their own food...which makes them pretty remarkable. We can't do that!

It's a simple equation for three Sugar Maples treated as a group: No Circulation=No food=Tree starving.

The Sugar Maples' inner functionality was so compromised that they were actually starving...they have not been able to produce enough food for themselves in recent years.

I found that movement of fluids upwards in the trees was blocked, therefore fluids moving to the leaves for photosynthesis in past years was limited. Functionality was shutting down. Whatever food was left was not moving around inside the trees.

My treatment involved opening up circulation in the trees...getting fluids moving up to the buds so the trees would put on good leaves with maximum photosynthesis this year. Good food production should feed the trees. This will provide a feedback loop to functionality moving again and movement of fluids up into the branches.

Also, the trees should push out more roots this year which would provide a feedback loop to better uptake, better circulation, more photosynthesis, more food.

Goals of these three trees:
•Be healthy
•Be strong

.

Saving 266 Year Old Elm in New Hampshire

2010-03-17T12:55:00.000-04:00

This Elegant Elm tree is in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

It's 266 years old and well-loved by Sally, the owner of the property for the last 20 years. The house goes back to 1790. The tree sprouted in 1744, so it was 46 years old when the house was build just in front of it. This house is the charter house for the local town. In the 1950's additions were made to the house so that the tree is now nestled inside of a "U" shape. The ground slopes gently down behind the house but the tree is on the high ground with the house.

We were asked to come to this property by a local arborist who cares for the tree not only as a part of his business but it's also his favorite tree. He loves it. He asked us to come to New Hampshire to treat the tree and to introduce his staff to our work. There were about a dozen people plus the owner in attendance.

The arborist told us the story of the tree. Last year, the gentleman of the property passed away; a great loss to his widow. And, it turns out that just 2 months after his passing, the Elm tree lost all of its leaves in August.

This gorgeous, classically vase-shaped Elm tree has been diagnosed with Dutch Elm disease. With the heavy rains of 2009 in the Northeast, the tree was getting water-logged. Between the loss of the caring energy from the master of the house, getting water-logged and having the disease, I believe that the tree was trying to decide whether it wanted to live or not. The tree was not making a mental decision as people make, but this had to do with the overall 'fabric' of its being to either live or die.

In fact, what happened, the tree's functions began to shut down and the tree had disconnected itself from the community of support from the trees nearby. We know that trees operate best in community.

Internal functionality in the tree was compromised including

circulation system
plant chemistry not in the proper consistency
potential bud development

I did an initial hands-on treatment the tree. Then, I gave an introduction to the participants. Basia, the Chief Listener and my business partner, lead them in a sensory enhancement exercise and a guided visualization. They felt as if they stepped inside of the tree's world. Then, the participants, followed my directions to help treat the tree.

By the end of the treatment, I was clear that root energy was pushing out to grow, the buds were filled with life and we could actually feel the movement of sap back up into the vascular system of the tree. All these changes were not visible to the human eye, but were perceptible to the tuned and caring human heart.

A shift in energy had taken place from a pulling in and decline pattern to a pushing up and out active growth pattern. I would say that the tree 'wanted' to live.

Elm Tree in Morristown, NJ - 6 Days After Treatment

2010-03-11T16:06:00.000-05:00

The treatment was all about the buds on March 5th. See the blog entry from that date.
Now, look at these beautiful buds!
The tree is telling us that the treatment worked!

Pat's Pear Tree, Montclair, NJ

2010-03-10T17:18:00.000-05:00

Meet one of Pat's fruit trees. It's a Pear tree that lives in a modest New Jersey suburban backyard. Pat grows almost all of the food for her vegetarian family in this small yard...including pears!
I always ask a tree for permission to treat it. This tree told me "I'm sick and I need help."

Whatever stressors may have weakened the tree, the tree's internal functionality was compromised.

My energy healing, holistic treatment focused on re-establishing the flow of that inner functionality. Re-establishing functionality is something that products like fertilizers can't do. A sick tree like this sweet little Pear can't take up products.

This was clear to me as I did the treatment because uptake of fluids, circulation of those fluids and food production were the highlights that the tree told me about. The tree wanted to be able to feed itself to become healthy again. Remember, plants eat sunlight via photosynthesis.

I'll recount the events of the treatment here.

Movement of fluids inside the tree was slowing down.
Tree wants more roots for more uptake of water and nutrients.
Where the circulation was good in the tree, it had to compensate for where the circulation has been compromised because of splits in the bark.
Plant chemistry had to be cleared and balanced. What does that mean? It means that the ratio of sugars, water and nutrients had to be brought into balance.
Had to get movement of fluids to the buds and get the healthy cells in the buds to divide. Good, healthy buds will result.
Good, healthy buds means more leaves...which means more sugars from photosynthesis from those leaves.
This ties back to need for more roots for uptake of water and nutrients also needed in the leaves for photosynthesis.

See how the treatment comes full circle? Everything is connected to everything else.

All of the steps above should help to result in a healthy tree. A healthy tree will be able to put on good fruit.

Sugar Maple in Blairstown, NJ

2010-03-07T18:29:00.001-05:00

Tree wants to grow and be healthy. It is living in slightly cramped quarters for its size (see picture below). I suspect that not only is the tree growing in limited space but that it also has a rock layer below to limit root development. This space was fine when the tree was small. But as the tree grew bigger, the space was more limiting. I had to balance the tree out to where it lives so it can maximize its growth potential in the limited space The tree can survive in this area.

I had to increase circulation and get more fluids into the intercellular spaces of the buds. So as the cells begin to swell they are readily able to take up fluids. I also had to work with the healthy cells in the buds so they would begin to divide rapidly at the appropriate time. The idea is to have healthy developing buds. Healthy growing buds will also help drive good circulation of fluids into the buds. This is a positive feedback loop.

In addition, I worked with the roots so they would put on additional root hairs for uptake of water and nutrients.

These steps should all help the tree with it's goals to grow and be healthy.

Beech in Fair Haven, NJ ...Please help me-I want to get well

2010-03-06T21:00:00.001-05:00

The tree was saying "Please help me- I want to get well." I basically had to open up the circulation of the tree and clear the plant chemistry. The idea is for the tree to produce and sustain more leaves and growth. This will help produce more food and strengthen the tree to help ward off the Phytopthora. More leaves and more growth will also help promote healing the internal functionality of the tree. See how tree is beginning to clear and ward off Phytopthora spots from my treatment to repair internal functionality in late Fall, 2009. I am really trying to help the tree to get healthy and well.

Maple in Rumson,NJ

2010-03-06T17:00:00.020-05:00

My treatment should help strengthen the buds to open better and increase survival rate. Better bud survival should also help produce more leaves needed for food (sugar) production. More leaves and food production should help with new growth. It should also help pull the circulation in the tree to keep it open since it was previously blocked. New leaves and new growth should help the tree with it's goals to fill in, and be a beautiful centerpiece.

Elm Tree in Morristown, NJ

2010-03-05T18:22:00.000-05:00

Elm tree buds have an inherent problem. The buds don't always completely grow after they start to swell in late winter. They all start to grow. But they don't all continue to grow. This became apparent in my work with a majestic Elm Tree today.
Problems with buds means less active growth. Less active growth means the tree is more susceptible to diseases and insects. This could contribute to why Elms were so devastated by the Elm Bark Beetle and Dutch Elm disease.

Tree Protectors Speak Out for West Orange, NJ Trees

2010-03-05T09:00:00.031-05:00

The Zoning Board of West Orange, NJ, has begun to hear public comments concerning the application by Seton Hall Prep. They intend to cut down a substantial part of one of New Jersey's remaining old forests including many old and historic trees in order to build more sports fields.
We were impressed by the eloquent pleas from the young people of West Orange. They saw the need to protect the environment which is their future. They also pointed out that planting some new "replacement" trees never does replace big old historic trees. They felt it was selfish to remove these many old and historic trees for the benefit of a few.
Many older residents of West Orange also spoke out for the trees. Some who live next to the property are already experiencing flooding and other water problems from the work that has been done there already.
We applaud the work of Sally and Kevin Malanga. They have been fighting for these trees for years!
We believe that when the day is done, the trees will prevail!

Riverview Garden Club Presentation, Wayne NJ

2010-03-04T10:00:00.015-05:00

Thanks to the Riverview Garden Club. We had a very enthusiastic response from over 50 people attending at the Wayne Public Library, Wayne NJ. Many good questions.
One of the most exciting things was the number of people who really appreciated their trees and plants. Some were even willing to admit that they hug their trees and talk to their plants! Good for them!
We thank the Riverview Garden Club for sponsoring such a great event.

Andy's Morristown Beech: "I want to grow and get healthy"

2010-03-02T14:52:00.003-05:00

Today's Tree Whispering treatment of a big old Copper Beech tree in Morristown, NJ, USA, was all about active new growth.

New growth in the top of the tree for new leaves and new tissue growth as a pair.
New growth in the roots (root hairs) for uptake of water and nutrients.

Active new growth drives healing of the tree and healing drives active new growth. A healthy feedback loop for the tree. Cool stuff!

First step: get circulation moving.

The Xylem and the Phloem had to be opened to get circulation moving.
Then I had to get uptake of water and nutrients going.
Then the plant chemistry had to be balanced. This is the ratio of food (sugars), water and nutrients.

Please, understand that if the tree's circulation is not operating correctly and the tree is not taking up water and nutrients correctly, this would account for the plant chemistry being out of balance.

Later in the treatment I had to help move food, water and nutrients into the intercellular spaces. The cells of the tree are beginning to swell for Spring so food, water and nutrients need to be available to the cells. This also means the buds are beginning to swell. The cells will begin dividing soon.

Basically the tree has a goal. It wants to to grow and wants to get healthy. It wants nice healthy leaf and tissue buds for growth and nice healthy new roots for uptake. In the reverse of that pattern, healthy growth and a healthy tree will help keep circulation open and keep the plant chemistry in balance.

As I was in the zone with the energy of the tree and conducting this healing treatment, my attention was drawn to the branches of the tree. They were waving like a graceful dancer moving her arms. At the same time, I noticed a fragrance coming from the bark of the trunk. Truly a sign of approval and acceptance of the treatment from the tree.

Wide fluctuations in temperature can happen in March. The final part of the treatment involved bringing the inner functionality into balance with those potential temperature fluctuations.

See how the Phytopthora spots are clearing up from my treatment late last season? Instead of red, bleeding spots, I see fading grey areas. I'm always excited to see how a tree heals itself. My philosophy is this: get the tree healthy and it can ward off the organism causing the canker on the tree.

Coming from the Tree's Point of View at a Distance

2010-02-22T16:47:00.001-05:00

We were talking with lots of people at our exhibit booth at the New Jersey Flower and Garden Show this past weekend. Many people see our display and ask me general questions about their trees or plants.

A woman asked me if she should fertilize her unhealthy-looking tree. After a series of questions, I told her to put a thin layer of compost under the tree. I explained to her, by doing this, she would build up the microbial activity in this soil.

I sometimes tell people to put some organic fertilizer down later....after putting down compost. But as I was starting to say that to her, I saw a movie screen in my head that said "NO." The tree was telling me "No fertilizer!" The compost was going to be enough for the tree.

Trees can sometimes send a message to us, even at a distance, so we can come from their point of view. It just takes tuning in to them in a different way.

Don't think so? Check out Cleve Backster's work with plants and lie detectors from the first few chapters of the book The Secret Life of Plants.

First Treatment for 2010 - February 1st

2010-02-01T16:09:00.000-05:00

The Sugar Maples, here in northern New Jersey, USA, started to push up sap today. Therefore, I was able to treat a very sick Sugar Maple.

My work with trees is holistic energy healing. When I put my hands on the tree, I feel an energy field. Then, I am able to find out what internal functionality is compromised, then correct it.

First of all, I had to open up the fluid passages (Xylem and Phloem). The Phloem (downward movement) was especially blocked in this tree. Then I had to clear the whole fluid path from the soil...through the roots...through the trunk...up the Xylem...down the Phloem...and movement into the intercellular spaces so it would be available to the cells when they want to take up fluids (water and nutrients.)

By getting water and nutrients up to where leaves will eventually come out (where photosynthesis will take place) sugars can be made in the leaves when the leaves come out.

Once the sugars are produced, and now that the Phloem is opened up, the sugars will be able to follow the fluid trail to the cells of the tree–especially the growing points–so that the tree can begin to grow again.

Once growing takes place...healing takes place. This will cause pull of more fluid movement up and down in the tree, more photosynthesis, more sugars produced and therefore more growth.

It's a positive feedback loop–an upward growth spiral. This pull of fluid movement will also serve to keep the Xylem and the Phloem open...which was the original problem.

Sap Rising in Sugar Maples, February 1, 2010

2010-01-30T21:11:00.000-05:00

Several weeks ago–early January–I put my hands on a beautiful, big old Sugar Maple in the Morristown, NJ, USA, area. The tree communicated to me that it was going to begin to push sap up around February 1st. It's very cold right now but I believe that the trees know what they are talking about. The tree said it would be an early Spring with "a few bumps in the road." That would mean it is waking up early.
Today, I was at the NOFA NJ Winter Conference. I explained this to a participant. She said: "Oh, yes! A neighbor who makes Maple Syrup said he was going to begin tapping his trees on February 1st."
Confirmation of what the trees are telling me!

Newest Apple Technology Saves Trees

2010-01-27T14:45:00.000-05:00

I just watched Steve Jobs announce his new Apple iPad! One of the major new apps on it will be for newspapers, like the New York Times...with embedded video. Guess what? Reading your paper on the iPad will mean less paper needed for the news. Saves trees! Keeps the environment cleaner. We love it for the technology and for saving trees.

Melinda's Hickory

2010-01-25T14:17:00.002-05:00

Sometimes this Tree Whispering™ work even amazes me. Look what happened in 2 weeks!
Before, on August 25th, 2009:

After Tree Whispering treatment by me, just 2 weeks later!

Look at all those new leaves in just 2 weeks. By the way, August and September is very late in the season for a tree to put on new leaves ...or grow bigger leaves.

I love this tree

2010-01-25T13:42:00.002-05:00

This tree won't tell me how old it is. From the property owner, I know it must be over 100 years old...but it just says "I'm 48." Must think that it's Jack Benny!

1st try

2009-07-07T18:08:00.001-04:00

This is the first trial post