Trees produce music too, you just have to know how to listen! Now, in this new CD, Paul Forrest gives the Music of the Trees a voice. Here is what he has to say about his experiences with trees:

I had a few encounters with trees in my formative years living in the south east of London. My first truly spiritual experience of trees was when I was learning about shamanism. A friend of mine, who was familiar and experienced in such things, took me to Lodge Hill near Ditchling. Near the hill itself was an old fallen beech tree, yet, to my amazement, this tree was still growing. Even producing nuts! It was clear that this was a special tree that had exceptional energy and spirit. I spent many hours sitting on the fallen trunk of this tree and had direct contact with its, loving, healing and nurturing energy. From that time on I began to notice the special energy of trees.

A few years later, as my relationship and interest in trees grew, another friend remarked that he heard music whilst in the presence of certain trees. It was while we were listening to music of the NASA space recordings - my friend said "Wouldn't it be great if we could hear the sounds that come from trees?" He related his experiences and tried to describe some of the sounds and music he had heard. "It's indescribable!" he said. "It's like no music I've ever heard. Perhaps you might be able to hear and play it, with your musical abilities. Why don't you have a go?" So I did, and I've been having a go for the last four years.

The first tree piece I wrote was Sitka Spruce (the much maligned and overplanted tree in most Forestry Commission woodlands). I went to a secluded wood near Lewes. I took my guitar, flute and MP3 recorder and wandered around until I found a tree that had a special energy, one that I was drawn to and felt at ease with. I sat with my back against the tree, closed my eyes and waited. I experienced a rush of energy and felt very light-headed. Then I began to hear sounds, musical energies. I started playing my guitar, putting it into a tuning which conveyed the vibrational energy of that tree. A phrase, then some chords, then more and more and more!! So many sounds, tunes, orchestrations. How on earth am I going to capture all that? That was the hard part, the initial tune and structure was easy. I had to work hard and fast to try to capture the rest, but I did, and the result was unlike anything I had ever heard or written before. It was as if someone else had written it; a brilliant composer. Perhaps it had been a composer called Tree! It really felt as if I were some kind of medium through which the music was conveyed. This CD can really help you connect to the healing power of trees.

Not only can they help you, but by purchasing this CD you can help the trees too! 10% of the profit will be donated to The International Tree Foundation. £5 has already gone towards saving Costells Wood in West Sussex.