How tree bark can lift your spirits

By Aislinn Sarnacki

Have you ever noticed how much tree bark varies in texture, color and pattern? If your answer is “no,” I understand. Staring at tree bark doesn’t seem that exciting. Yet it could benefit you.

Let me explain.

A few days ago, I was grumpily walking my dog through the forest. The landscape appeared drab, covered with old, melting snow. The sky was gray. Birds weren’t singing. Bah humbug.

Usually spending time outdoors makes me feel better. Why wasn’t it working?

A yellow birch tree saved the day. Its shiny golden bark caught my eye, so I leaned in for a closer look. Dark threads of lichen branched across flaking sheets of gold.

From that point on, I decided to observe tree bark as I walked. What variety could I find? What hues? What designs? It was a game, and I was the sole player.

(My dog, Juno, was busy playing her own game, which involved peeing on saplings.)

As I walked, I took note of the brick red undertone of oak trees and the smooth surface of paper birch, curling in great white sheets. Cankers marred diseased beech trees. Woodpecker holes oozed sap.

On the thick trunk of an old white cedar tree, I noticed a patch of the stringy bark was worn to a lighter shade. I imagined a deer rubbing its velvety antlers there, or a bear scratching its back to leave a scent.

By the end of the walk, I felt more upbeat. The impromptu game had pulled me out of the tangle of my thoughts and into the here and now. Plus, it piqued my curiosity. Which lichens paired with which trees? I wondered. Did they benefit each other in some sort of symbiotic relationship?

The state of being curious, I find, is naturally uplifting.

The whole experience got me thinking about the benefits of nature observation. I realized that there are certain methods of observation, and some may be more relaxing than others. 

My tree bark game is an example of choosing one thing in nature to focus on, with the goal of finding variety and beauty. I believe this method of observing is particularly stress-reducing because it’s so simple. Your brain has one thing to do, and it’s rewarded frequently. 

People do this all the time, whether they recognize it or not. Birding — going outside with the express mission of finding birds — is a popular example of this type of game. 

Searching for sea glass is another.

What you choose to focus on in nature may be dictated by the season. Seeking wildflowers is ideal for springtime. Hunting mushrooms is fun in the summer. Animal tracks can entertain in the winter.

Since you’re making up this game for yourself, there are no hard and fast rules. Maybe you lose interest or move into a different habitat. Don’t worry. You can change your focal point at any time. 

During my bark game, I came to a partially frozen stream and spent 15 minutes admiring ice formations, then returned to bark.

This conscious effort to narrow your focus while moving through the wilderness is drastically different from other methods of nature observation. 

The late Tom Brown, a naturalist and author from the New Jersey Pine Barrens, described a few different approaches in his “Nature Observation and Tracking” field guide. One involves what he called “splatter vision,” which is when you attempt to view the environment with a wide lens by using your peripheral vision and casting your gaze both near and far, staying sensitive to movement and changes in the environment.

Since reading his book in college, I’ve often practiced what I think is “splatter vision,” though I may not be getting it right. It seems to be an attempt to take in a lot at once, and it can be great for spotting the movement of birds or tracking down bright mushrooms or flowers. But I find it tiring. It requires an alertness and constant monitoring that I’m not used to doing.

Forest bathing is another approach to nature observation, and it’s become increasingly popular in recent years. A practice that originated in Japan, where it’s called Shinrin-yoku, forest bathing involves using all of your senses to experience nature without any agenda. The purpose is to promote well-being and reduce stress. 

The name of this practice can confuse people. It doesn’t usually involve water, although I suppose you could forest bathe while swimming. Typically, people wander aimlessly while forest bathing, or they sit down and simply bask in the scents, sounds and sights surrounding them.

This form of nature observation doesn’t seem like a great option if you’re trying to get from point A to point B, say on a hiking trail. But when you stop for a snack break, you could devote some time to it. Just be careful not to wander off and get lost. 

Like with anything else, you can improve your observation skills with practice.

Have you ever been walking along a trail, deep in thought, and you realize that you haven’t registered your surroundings for the past 10 minutes? That’s not necessarily a bad thing. The outdoors is a nice place for contemplation. But if your goal is to embrace the here and now, and get out of your head, it may take some effort.

I suggest trying the bark game. What’ve you got to lose?