Children know what trees are for.
They are for climbing into. For showing off in. For alarming parents in. "Look, I'm Tarzan. Watch me swing over to that branch." In the case of fruit trees, they are for raiding, especially around Halloween.
But in the world of grown ups, trees today are a solemn affair.
We have an Annual Tree Week to make the point. And the official launch seems to be down in Blarney where Mr Ivan Yates TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry does a planting and there will be a lunch and general chat.
Trees for Knowledge seems to be the keynote of this year's campaign, for that slogan is on the Blarney invitation, and then on Wednesday at the ENFO premises in St Andrew Street, Dublin, Ms Liz McManus, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Renewal launches a Poster Exhibition "Trees for Knowledge". That's directly under the auspices of the Tree Council of Ireland, as, presumably, most of the celebrations will be.
It's all a good and healthy thing, and inquiring young folk will find that there is, indeed, so much to learn about the tree the chemistry and drive and inevitable flourishing of tons and tons of wood from what is often a minuscule seed. There are so many practical reasons for encouraging the study and growth of trees in the modern world, especially in the cities.
They do clean the atmosphere, filter out the bad and emit the good. They give shelter and make even some of the more shocking buildings less visible.
The Parks Committee of Dublin, for example, enhance every acre that comes within their scope. And, it seems, they get better and better. More avenues are being planted with kerb side trees. Preferably flowering.
Beyond urban centres, foresters have brought our percentage of tree cover up towards a respectable level. Farmers are now in the game. For trees are forming material, too. And pay not too badly. That awful fever of downing trees and fine hedgerow plants that EC entry set off, is, fortunately on the wane. Some unfortunate cattle have no shade.
And maybe builders are learning that a good tree or two enhances a sale. Maybe. It is a week to celebrate. And South Dublin County Council got in first with the launch of a Famine Commemoration Arboretum at Clondalkin on February 23rd. By the way, no more of "he" or "she" planted a tree.
Tell us what sort of tree.