Dwelling in Trees

The Trees of Fish Creek - October 2025

​Walking along a trail, whether concrete or dirt, your feet will at some point bring you to a tree - one or several. You might pass right by, mind elsewhere. Or you might notice the distinctive scent of evergreen. You might feel tempted to touch the dark knot perfectly framed by white aspen bark, or the drip of sap running down the rough conifer trunk. You might gaze upward, marveling at the height - imagine being that tall - and smile at the squirrels leaping through the branches in their acrobatic games of tag. You might see a woodpecker drilling for its next meal, or hear a songbird brightening the day with its tune.

What would it be like to be up high amongst the sturdy boughs, cradled by the green giant? To be nestled within thick foliage, unseen from below and able to gaze far across the landscape, enjoying the bird’s eye view. To feel the breeze move your hair as the leaves rustle. To breathe in the dusty earth smell on an afternoon in August , or the cool wet of a drizzly October morning.

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An arboreal abode, a home in the trees, a tree house. How I longed for a fort in the trees when I was growing up, and that longing continued when my own daughter Charlotte was young. We made do with reading the Magic Tree House books by Mary Pope Osborne. The stories were terrific, but more about the fantastic adventures the tree house transported Annie and Jack to, rather than the tree house itself. The Sorcerer’s Crossing, a favorite book of mine, involved a character who lived in a tree in order to become more self-aware. The first night she moved into the tree house there was a violent thunderstorm  but she was safe in the little tree house while the tree thrashed about.

Spending time in trees, and nature in general, we know is beneficial for our health. Though we all can’t take part in the tree house experience the way the Swiss Family Robinson did, we can look into biophilic design. Biophilic refers to love of life and all that is alive. The design concept consists of three parts:

1. Utilizing direct nature: bringing trees, plants, water features indoors.
2. Utilizing indirect nature: specific use of materials and images.
3. Utilizing the space itself to create feelings one has in nature: secluded spaces for privacy and peace, partially hidden spaces to create a sense of exploration and wonder.

An example of this design is found in greenscrapers, or vertical forests, where trees and shrubs are integrated into the outdoor spaces of a many-storied structure. The overall effect transforms the building into a spectacular oasis, human-made straight edges and sharp angles softened with verdure. 

Biophilic design can be found in office spaces, upscale city apartment dwellings, and even low-income housing. The greenery of the buildings, as well as parks and dedicated green spaces, not only provides a connection to nature for those who live there, but can also cool the environment, as cities become “heat islands” with all their concrete and asphalt.

Living amongst the trees isn’t just a childhood fantasy - it is a very real way to connect mind, body, environment and good health with nature.


Sources/Learn More
Optimist Daily: Architects embrace trees to bring nature in and redefine home design
Green Oasis: What is Biophilic Design?