Friendship and nature are two powerful forces that shape human life. Throughout history, poets have looked to trees as symbols of strength, growth, and connection. Trees remind us of the bonds we share with others. Their deep roots and wide branches mirror the relationships we form. In this article, we explore ten beautiful poems that blend the themes of trees and friendship. Each poem offers a unique vision of how nature speaks to the human heart.
10 Poems That Capture Trees and Friendship
1. “Trees” by Joyce Kilmer (1913)
Poem Excerpt:
“I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree…”
Joyce Kilmer’s short poem is one of the most famous tributes to trees. Kilmer personifies the tree, showing it as a humble and faithful companion to the divine. Though friendship is not directly mentioned, the loving tone feels like the bond between friends—simple, steady, and pure. Trees in this poem stand as living friends who ask for nothing but give everything.
Source: “Trees and Other Poems” (1914)
2. “The Heart of the Tree” by Henry Cuyler Bunner (1893)
Poem Excerpt:
“What does he plant who plants a tree?
He plants a friend of sun and sky…”
Henry Cuyler Bunner’s poem celebrates the act of planting a tree. Here, the tree itself becomes a “friend” to the natural world. Planting trees is seen as planting hope, dreams, and connections for future generations. The friendship between man and tree, and between humans themselves, is implicit in every line.
Source: “The Heart of the Tree,” first published in Youth’s Companion (1893)
3. “Under the Greenwood Tree” by William Shakespeare (1599)
Poem Excerpt:
“Under the greenwood tree
Who loves to lie with me,
And turn his merry note
Unto the sweet bird’s throat…”
In As You Like It, Shakespeare paints a pastoral picture of fellowship under trees. This song invites friends to gather beneath the branches, singing and enjoying life’s simple pleasures. Trees here represent a refuge—a place where friendship can bloom away from the troubles of the world.
Source: “As You Like It,” Act II, Scene V
4. “The Tree” by Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson (1859)
Poem Excerpt:
“The tree’s the friend of sun and rain,
It greets the spring with singing…”
Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, a Nobel Prize-winning Norwegian poet, views trees as friends to the elements. This friendship extends metaphorically to humans. As trees welcome change and continue to grow, so should people embrace life and build strong friendships. The poem suggests that trees, like good friends, help us weather every season.
Source: Poems and Songs by Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson (Translated by Arthur Hubbell Palmer, 1915)
5. “The Apple Tree” by John Clare (1827)
Poem Excerpt:
“The apple trees with ruddy fruit
Are bending to the ground…”
John Clare’s simple and vivid description of apple trees in bloom feels intimate. His work often connects closely with rural life and personal memories. Trees, in Clare’s poetry, become part of a shared heritage—a link between generations and friends across time. In this poem, the trees are familiar presences, like old friends who return each season.
Source: “The Village Minstrel and Other Poems” (1827)
6. “Birches” by Robert Frost (1915)
Poem Excerpt:
“So was I once myself a swinger of birches.
And so I dream of going back to be.”
Robert Frost recalls the playful days of his youth spent swinging on birch trees. The birches here symbolize escape and companionship. They seem to reach down to offer a hand to the boy. Friendship exists between boy and nature but also between the boy and his younger self. Frost’s bittersweet longing for innocence reminds us of the friendships we lose and rediscover.
Source: “Mountain Interval” (1916)
7. “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein (1964)
Poem Excerpt:
“And the tree was happy.”
Though written as a children’s story in verse, The Giving Tree holds deep lessons for all ages. The tree gives everything to the boy out of unconditional love. This mirrors the ideal form of friendship: giving, forgiving, and never asking for more. The tree becomes a symbol of pure loyalty and selfless affection—values that define true friendship.
Source: “The Giving Tree” (1964)
8. “Old Trees” by Caroline Atherton Mason (1866)
Poem Excerpt:
“The glory of the forest’s prime
Lives in the memory of old trees.”
Mason’s gentle poem reflects on the strength and endurance of old trees. She draws a parallel between aging trees and enduring friendships. Just as old trees carry the beauty of the past, old friendships carry memories and wisdom. Time may weather both, but their essence remains unchanged.
Source: Published in Poetical Works of Caroline Atherton Mason (1891)
9. “Ode to Trees” by Herman Hagedorn (1922)
Poem Excerpt:
“Ye are the towers of God,
His minsters of the sky.”
In Hagedorn’s ode, trees stand tall and proud, serving as monuments to faith and community. Trees in this poem are guardians and silent companions. They connect people to something larger than themselves, much like deep friendships do.
Source: “Poems and Ballads” (1922)
10. “The Sound of Trees” by Robert Frost (1916)
Poem Excerpt:
“I shall set forth for somewhere,
I shall make the reckless choice
Some day when they are in voice
And tossing so as to scare
The white clouds over them on.”
In another poem about trees, Frost listens to the sound of trees moving in the wind. They seem to call him to action and adventure. Trees become companions that encourage growth and change. This subtle friendship shows that support can be quiet yet powerful, pushing us to move forward in life.
Source: “Mountain Interval” (1916)
Conclusion
Poets have long found inspiration in trees. Whether symbolizing endurance, generosity, shelter, or joy, trees often serve as metaphors for true friendship. The poems explored here show how nature teaches us to nurture, trust, and stand together. Trees remind us that, like great friendships, the best relationships grow stronger with time, weathering every storm yet standing tall.
Reading poems about trees and friendship invites us to cherish the natural world and the human connections we build. Just as roots intertwine beneath the surface, unseen but essential, so do the bonds of friendship sustain us through life’s seasons.
Each of these poets—across countries, centuries, and languages—saw something sacred in the quiet wisdom of trees. In celebrating trees, they also celebrate the human heart’s capacity for loyalty, patience, and love.
