为什么生存环境优越的树木反而没有环境恶劣的树木高大？对于这个问题，当地人是这样解释的：树也如同人一样，单独生长的树木因为不存在竞争，就会变得懒散、随意，这往往使它们长得奇形怪状；而集中长在一起的树木，每个个体想要生存，都必须让自己长得高大强壮，才能争得有限的阳光、水分等资源，从而存活下来，最终长成了栋梁之材。

Why don`t trees who grow up in superior living conditions grow as tall as trees who are situated in a harsh environment? The locals have the following explanation: Trees are just like people. Trees that stand on their own will become lazy because there is no competition, which often makes them grow in strange ways. When trees grow close to others, every one of them wants to survive, so they must grow tall and strong, in order to gain the limited resources such as sunshine and moisture – and eventually they will grow into pillars.

This is the cultivation of the ego illustrated by the growth of trees: Only when the tree perceives itself in relation to other trees, it will give up its “awkwardness” and strive to be as tall and rigid as the other trees, which will eventually lead to its growing into a pillar – its character traits become solid. Only if it stands on its own, apart from the other trees, its will remain more free-spirited. (But of course, this is only an explanation from an unknown Chinese source, Peter Wohlleben has a whole different explanation).

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“laemmchenfund” is a new, regular format here on laemmchenblog. It presents finds I come across during the day – be it quotations, photos or sightings “in the real world”. In this way, my blog might from now on take on more the form of a diary. Categories will be blurred, themes will overlap – all according to the “flow” principle of the Dao.