Trees are obviously a topic that the contributors on this forum really enjoy, I thought I would add a few different dimensions to it.
Denise Linn in her book 'SIGNPOSTS'( How to interpret the co-incidences and symbols in your life) has this to say about trees:

" Trees represent one of the most common and traditional signs throughout the world, hence, The tree of life and the Tree of knowledge. Trees can be a personal sign of your life's development. The roots of the tree that go deep into the ground, can be likened to your earthly life, while the branches rising into the sky, sybolise your higher consciousness. allowing you to feel rooted and grounded within the earth plane, yet soaring to spiritual heights.
Each tree has it's own properties. Is the tree straight or crooked, an old gnarled tree can represent wisdom, strength.
A slender Willow tree can mean being able to bend with circumstances. The meaning of a tree can vary, depending on whether the tree is just beginning to leaf, is in full leaf, is losing it's leaves, or has no leaves.
An Aspen can represent fear, as in quaking with fear.
The Oaks, which were sacred trees to the Celts, represent strength.
A pine can represent spiritual clarity and purification.
A palm tree can represent warmth and freedom.
A fruit tree can mean bearing fruit in life.
A tree can pertain to family matters, as for example, your family tree. Examine other surrounding signs to understand how this relates to your family".

Please note the author says 'can' not 'does', which means you,yourself, may have another more pertinent explanation for trees.

Great article.
Very informative and interesting.
:tsup:

This is my perspective on trees. Ilove them!

I always liked being around them and I was an ace climber as a child. It’s a wonder i have any knees or elbows left.
I remember the large Horse chestnut tree over hanging my garden. In autumn it would give us it’s fruit, the good old ‘conker’ and my friends and I, would have ‘conker’ contests to see who had the ‘champion conker’..I seem to remember sore knuckles as well! (a link to how to play conkers:
http://www.things2make.com/Things2make_files/Instructions%20over%205/Conkers.htm

Years later and I still love being around trees. I like nothing better than to go to wooded/forest areas, although there is always background noise of the birds and things, one feels the peace of the place, but also, I feel the magic of the place. It feels like a place of power. It is said that these places are the doorways to different dimensions and I can quite understand that being the case.
I take a lot of photographs in these places and I am aware of the amount of nature spirits that reside here, it is their home and I try to respect that, doing as little harm as I can.

A book I have found useful is called “MAGICAL GUARDIANS” (Exploring the nature and spirit of Trees), by Philip Heselton.

Great tree symbolism from "Signposts" (I gotta get that book) and a wonderful story about the horse chestnut tree! It's no wonder that your photos are full of nature spirits and its little caretakers.

Given your knowledge and research, what is it that the nature spirits do exactly, in their roles. Do they stimulate growth? Do they assist with repairs? Are they assigned to a specific area or plant?

The simple answer to all your questions Alisa would be Yes, they do all those things.
To talk about each job there is to be done would take me a great deal of time to type, so I will keep it reasonably short.

Nature spirits come in all sizes from the very very, small(microscopic) to the enormous celestial spirits and beyond.

I have read books, that inform you that nature spirits can only be found in certain places. This to me, is misinformation, in my own research, I find them everywhere, in and out of doors.

Think of them as the cog wheels of nature, they are the ones who work behind the scenes, ensuring it goes to time and plan. They all work together to create the harmony of nature. Without them, well, I don't think we would be here without them.

A couple of examples of the work of the nature spirits:
How do you think the acorn falls to the ground? it gets pushed out when it is ready by nature spirits!
Who coaxes the seed head babies to leave the plant? nature spirits!

The indigenous people knew all about this and that is why they reverred nature so much, they tried to live in harmony with it.
The community at Findhorn work with the devas and nature spirits in Scotland and have tremendous success in growing things.
http://www.findhorn.org/home_new.php
The Shaman and medicine men know how to approach plants and trees and ask permission to take things.

I see a trend of people waking up and becoming aware of our place in nature and how we all can be better off if we learn to work with nature and not against it.

It is interesting that the acorns are pushed out of the trees. I have been thinking about these things now when I am outside. I am beginning to imagine all the beings about (like we see in spirit photos).

I always felt some pang of worry when I would break a branch off of a plant or tree, wondering who else it may be affecting. I think it is a good idea all around to say thanks and be mindfully appreciative for receiving anything, not in the least from nature.

My sentiments also.