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"I drove by that tree for 19 years and never took a single frame of it,” photographer Mark Hirsch told NBC News. The tree, a massive oak, is on his way home, along a country road in southwest Wisconsin.
Mark Hirsch
L to R: Jan. 20, Hirsch's first photo of the tree; March 14, still ten days before the official start of the project; Day 19, April 11
But one day when a friend challenged Hirsch to try out the camera on his new iPhone 4S, he stopped his truck and trudged 500 yards through the snow to make his first picture of the tree (left frame, above). Surprised by the image quality - despite being used to professional gear – he showed the pictures to another friend who told him it could be a cool project if he did more.
Mark Hirsch
Day 184, Sept. 23
Hirsch committed to taking a picture of the tree every day for a year and posted the images on Instagram and Facebook. Fast forward 190+ days and Mark Hirsch has captured seemingly every angle and every kind of light that could hit this tree which stands out from the surrounding cornfield. Doing so is not without effort, though. He’s woken his wife with the alarm clock to be ready for dawn light at 4:30 in the morning. On another day when the light just never seemed to get good, he jumped up mid-salad during dinner to take a picture when the sun finally broke through the clouds.
Mark Hirsch
Day 101, July 2
As much as Hirsch depends upon good light to make beautiful images, he's not afraid of the dark. From Hirsch's Instagram feed: "During dusk one evening the lightning bugs were coming out and I wanted to capture their sporadic bursts of light. The iPhone camera really doesn't allow for times exposures so I utilized another app, SlowShutter, which essentially stacks video frames into a single image. The resulting photo (above) doesn't have the sharp resolution of a still frame image but I think it produces an interesting effect regardless.
There are days when Hirsch struggles to come up with something fresh. On those days, he tries a few tricks, like taking a different path toward the tree, or taking a closer look, which helped him discover a moth almost perfectly camouflaged against the bark. Or he'll lay down on his back and get a new perspective looking straight up. (below)
Mark Hirsch
Day 119, July 20
Mark Hirsch
Day 123, July 24
“It’s kind of funny," Hirsch says, "If someone was off in a corner watching me they’d think I was some crazy guy because I’m all alone. It’s kind of my one on one time with this silly tree.”
Hirsch is a professional photographer, doing both commercial and editorial work. Despite the occasionally stressful sprints home from his assignments to get a shot done before day’s end he says, “Those expeditions are actually some of the most relaxing and rewarding moments in my day.” Hirsch's German Wirehaired Pointer 'Magnum' (below) frequently and enthusiastically joins him on his photographic expeditions to the tree.
Mark Hirsch
Day 137, Aug. 7
The social networking of Hirsch's project has fostered other connections as well. Childhood friend Lora Kohnlein, who now lives in Henderson, Colo., found his project on Facebook and decided to pay a visit to the tree when she was visiting her hometown. From Hirsch's Instagram feed: "...I had a fun time early this morning introducing Lora Kohnlein and her sons Duggan and Patrick to that tree. The boys and I climbed the tree, examined dozens of bugs and discussed the finer points of the video game angry birds. Thanks boys for inspiring me to see things like a kid again!"
Mark Hirsch
Day 111, July 2
The massive tree, whose trunk Hirsch says is more than two grown men’s arm lengths around, is not as fixed as it might appear. Arable land in the area is in high demand because the price of corn is so high. A bulldozer operator was working to expand some farmland nearby and asked the farm’s owner if he’d like the giant oak taken down too. The farmer, Tim Clare, replied, “That tree’s been there for over two hundred years. I’m not the guy that’s gonna push it over.”
Through the project, Hirsch has gained a new environmental awareness.“ I would not label myself an environmentalist, but I have always had a grand appreciation for the environment. My relationship with “that tree” has awakened a new-found vision, and appreciation for the fragility of our world and our need to embrace a more sustainable use of our resources.”
Mark Hirsch
Day 149, Aug. 19
Mark Hirsch
Day 71, June 2
Hirsch has been surprised by the public appreciation of what is at its core, a simple idea. He has an exhibit currently showing in Dubuque. He hopes to publish a book. You can get near-daily updates on the “That Tree” Facebook page or by following @blockhouseroller on Instagram (both iPhone and Android).
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Even if they decide not to destroy that beautiful tree for the sake of genetically modified corn- if the bulldozer tears up and compacts enough of the root system it will still likely kill the old tree. Older trees have a more vulnerable immune system. If they tear up just a considerable portion of the roots- it will likely go into a tailspin. I am an arborist. I work with trees for a living. I know what I'm talking about.
Agreed. I know of a similar tree that was growing in a wide road median. When they widened the road and narrowed the median, planners went to extra trouble to grade around the tree. But the road came so close to it, and some time later there came a year when it simply would not green. Given its location, it was quickly removed for safety reasons. Sadly I drive past the stump and remember how much I loved that tree.
Mr. Hirsch, "your" tree is a grand one, and your photographs are a beautiful tribute. Thank you for sharing.
You guys tree huggers? Watch out. We are an endangered specie.
Sometimes when I look at old trees I wonder what life was like around them when they were first a sapling. I think those thoughts too when a someone who has lived over a 100 years dies; I think of everything they've seen in the course of their journey. This feature story is lovely.
Mr Hirsch, wonderful photos.
Annie,
My dad and dear aunt grew up along the Erie canal which stayed open across some
parts of upstate NY until the early 1920's. Now we sit @ the computer and see
pics from Mars, Voyager and Hubble. Whats next?
Wow. Your brain works similarly to mine. "What's next?", indeed!
beautiful pics!
A Great set of Photographs and a Great Old Tree, Thankfull it is not any way near Meadowcreek in Bishop , They would probably cut it down to make way for a park bench or just for the fun of it , This place hates trees ....Sadly Im forced to live here , But do protect my Trees frome them wherever i can ...
I have been watching this since you first posted. Thank you for this wonderful gift,,,,and for your dedication....I will make to Warehouse to see the exhibit.....I am anxious for the book.
What a wonderful piece. I wonder what else could we see if we took the time to watch a year in the life of......
Great piece and a great tree!
Stunning photos. The Tree looks so majestic and proud. Just imagine what has gone on around that tree during it's time on that spot. What has that tree seen and heard? The possibilities of just that make it even more interesting. Thank you.
Lovely pictures and story! I'm a wellness coach and I constantly emphasis time will reveal the outcome of of what you've sowed over the years (habits, good or bad). The TREE story is subtle and wonderful. Thanks for taking the time to create it for all to see. Lucy D.
I love that you did this. Not only are the pictures outstanding, but I just love the idea and that you followed your gut to chronicle God's beauty daily. I rarely look at the 'photos of the day' on MSNBC.com, but the photo grabbed my attention. I'm so glad I took the time to look through the pix and read the article. If I read correctly, you are thinking of a book. I would most definitely buy one; not only for me, but for my friends and family. I will follow you on facebook (I think I saw that's an option). THANK YOU and God bless you and your efforts!
Excellent images! Well thought out and perfectly shot! You made it into my personal collection of stunning photography! Keep up the good work.
LOVE THIS! Thank your kids for planting that seed to SEE BEYOND the obvious.
Little as more appeal in the Western plant world than the mighty oak tree, in my opinion. Beautiful pictures.
in rushing to find what you were looking for you almost missed it! it waited tho for 19 years, probably knowing you would find it ... beautiful pics
wondeful pictures! thanks for spotlighting this beautiful old tree. any idea what species of oak it is? it's hard to tell from the pictures. the closeup of the leaf looks a little like a post oak but i can't say for sure.
God's beauty.
As humans we think the natural world around us is fairly static. We see the change of seasons (here in Ohio) and the blooms of Spring, but we don't really consider that nature is a living, breathing, life-giving entity all her own. There is a reason the old religions worshiped trees.
I have a gum locust in my backyard, probably about 40 years old, I watch it go through the seasons, I note the birds and squirrels it provides food and shelter for, and I admire it's lush leaves. It has some of the most beautifully colored leaves every Autumn and has only just now shed them. The show is gorgeous!