Encounters with Trees: A Study of Extraordinary Experiences in Nature
University Of Wales Trinity Saint David Research Repository January 1, 2025 Chelsea Brady
People sometimes experience moments of deep connection with trees that go beyond intellectual understanding, revealing the tree's 'beingness' in an intuitive way. Through semi-structured interviews and a phenomenological approach, this dissertation found that such encounters can range from casual conversations to profound experiences that alter a person's perception of physical reality. Some encounters were significant enough to lead to career changes. While existing research has focused on communication between trees and human attitudes toward them, this study provides new context for the rich interactions and relationships between humans and trees, and the effects these encounters may have on both parties.