Tu BiShvat and trees offer quiet lessons of hope and strength.

An essay by Milwaukee native Sxdni Small recalls childhood tree-climbing and a large neighborhood tree that sheltered wildlife, linking those memories to Tu BiShvat. Tu BiShvat, the Jewish "New Year for Trees," is observed on the 15th of Shevat and in 2026 runs from sundown Feb. 1 to nightfall Feb. 2.

The author describes childhood afternoons spent climbing trees and sitting beneath large neighborhood specimens in Milwaukee. Those early experiences, shared with a father who loved trees, shaped a lasting sense of connection to the natural world. The piece draws that personal memory into the occasion of Tu BiShvat, the Jewish "New Year for Trees." The essay notes Tu BiShvat begins at sundown on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, and ends at nightfall on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026. Notable details: - Sxdni Small is identified as Milwaukee born and raised and as a member of Emanu-el of Waukesha. - The author recalls climbing trees from about age eleven and spending time in neighborhood parks with their father. - The essay describes a particularly large, long-standing tree in Milwaukee that bordered yards and hosted birds and other wildlife. - It states that trees provide oxygen, shelter and food and can serve as reminders of resilience across seasons. - Tu BiShvat is described as the 15th of Shevat and in 2026 runs from sundown Feb. 1 to nightfall Feb. 2. Summary: The essay connects personal memories of tree-climbing and neighborhood trees to the observance of Tu BiShvat and presents trees as steady sources of shelter and renewal. Undetermined at this time.