When I think about my dad, I picture him in the garden taking care of his herbs, vegetables, fruit trees, and native trees.
My parents named me after a native tree, Alnus glutinosa, or Zwarte els. The name is derived from Middle Dutch and was also called “else” during medieval times.
My dad planted an “Else” in our yard in Belgium. Every time I visit home, I love sitting under the tree and enjoying its beauty while pondering about its deeper meaning.
Growing up, my dad was always up for an adventure, joining us climbing, hiking through rivers, but he also made us work in the garden, especially during the summer, when we had to process fruits and vegetables for the winter while the birds were eating elderberries to prepare for their long journeys south of our country.
I loved observing birds and spent lots of time identifying plants. My dad always encouraged me to pursue my passion for biology, which he had seen develop over the years.
I saw the same passion my father developed for teaching his children about nature reflected in my husband, Tom, as he took it upon himself to show and teach Guam’s natural beauty to my children, holding the kids high above the water, balancing them on his hands, teaching them how to husk a coconut, taking them on fishing trips and adventurous hikes, but also teaching them how to fix the bush cutter and use the machete.
From my years as a mother, I know how much dads love getting cards from their children. For this Father’s Day, I created some tree cards you can share with your dad, as trees resemble strength and wisdom, and provide food and shelter, just like our fathers.
Adventurous as a Puting fruit
Barringtonia asicatica, also called fish-killing tree or Puting, has box shaped fruits that were traditionally used to stun fish. The fruits are buoyant and water-resistant. They can survive on the ocean for a long time. Ocean currents disperse the fruits to different islands.
The tree occurs along the shores of many Pacific Islands, seeking a different name and adventure. It is quite amazing to see the tree grow on mangroves, on rocky seashores, and even further inland, such as Guåhan’s limestone forests. Is your dad adventurous as a Puting fruit?
Protective as a Yogga’ tree
Elaeocarpus yoga, or Yogga’, is a large tree with a very beautiful architecture. You can see the branch structure in between the whorls of green and red leaves.
I have observed epiphytic orchids growing on the tree trunks and outer branches. It feels like the Yogga’ is protecting these plants. Is your dad also very protective as a Yogga’ tree?
Strong as an Ifit tree
Intsia bijuga, or Ifit, trees have buttress roots to protect them from falling because their roots system can’t reach very deep into the limestone karst. The red wood is strong and has been used as building material and for carving. The wood is termite-resistant, making it a very desired tree.
Ifit is culturally important and is Guåhan’s territorial tree. The two terminal leaflets hang down and are orientated towards each other. Is your dad as strong as an Ifit?
Father’s Day Flower Cards: Gågo
Brave as a Gågo tree
Casuarina equisetifolia, also called ironwood tree or Gågo, grows in different habitats that are all exposed to different elements in Guåhan. At the beach they comprise the front line of defense, catching big waves.
In the limestone forest, Gågo grows on the cliff line, the wind blowing in their face. In the savannah they experience limited soil and nutrient availability.
They often stand by themselves surrounded by small shrubs, ferns, grasses and sedges. Is your dad as brave as a Gågo tree?
Funny as a Mangle machu tree
Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, or Mangle machu, is a mangrove tree. To survive in the muddy, oxygen-poor environments, this tree grows exposed knee roots emerging from the water. These roots pop up everywhere and bear many lenticels that allow the tree to exchange gasses.
Additionally, the tree develops pneumatophores, which are aerial roots that help the tree balance in the water, and guess what, they also have lenticels. Isn’t that funny and creative?
The fruits of the Mangle macho look like cigars and can torpedo into the mud and start growing. But they do not get stuck in the mud; the fruit contains enough nutrients to survive for about a year and settle somewhere else. Is your dad as funny as a Mangle macho tree?
Magof Ha’ånen i Mantåta!
Else Demeulenaere is the associate director of Natural Resources for the Center for Island Sustainability at the University of Guam, where she mentors students and leads several forest and watershed restoration, endangered species recovery, and ethnobotanical projects. You can reach her at else@uog.edu.
