In the heart of the world’s oldest forests stand the champion trees—majestic giants who have withstood centuries of storms, droughts, and fires to become the largest specimens of their species. These ancient sentinels are more than just tall trees; they are living archives of resilience and genetic strength, quietly sustaining the ecosystems around them. Their survival holds keys not only to our natural heritage but also to our future in a changing climate.
Meeting the Archangels of the Forest
My connection with these majestic beings deepened when I encountered David Milarch, the visionary founder of the Archangel Ancient Tree Archive (AATA). Inspired by Jim Robbins’s book The Man Who Planted Trees, I began supporting AATA’s mission to create Living Tree Libraries—collections of cloned champion trees planted worldwide to preserve their extraordinary genetics.
David’s journey is remarkable. Raised on a shade tree farm in Michigan, he experienced a near-death encounter that transformed his life. In what he describes as a glimpse into a realm of pure harmony and light, he met archangels who tasked him with cloning the oldest champion trees—trees whose immense size reflects centuries of endurance—and planting their clones to secure their legacy. At the time, cloning ancient trees was deemed impossible, but David’s faith and persistence proved otherwise.
Why Champion Trees Matter More Than Ever
Initially, many questioned why it mattered to preserve these venerable trees rather than simply planting any trees. But science now confirms that champion trees possess unique genetic traits that enable them to withstand extreme weather events, pests, and environmental stresses—traits that are crucial as climate change threatens global forests.
Take the 150-year-old banyan tree in Lahaina, Maui, for example. Amidst the catastrophic 2023 wildfire that devastated the town and melted metal structures, this ancient tree endured, a living testament to resilience. Similarly, California’s redwoods—many over 300 feet tall—have astonished researchers. After the 2020 lightning-induced fires appeared to decimate them, scientists found these trees drawing on centuries-old reserves of stored sugars to sprout new growth from beneath their blackened bark. Nature’s will to survive is awe-inspiring.
Cloning Giants: Science Meets Spirit
With the help of his sons, Jared and Jake, David transformed this inspired mission into the Archangel Ancient Tree Archive. Jake developed cloning techniques that enabled AATA to propagate cuttings taken from the sun needles at the towering crowns of redwoods. These clones have been planted across the United States and internationally, creating Living Tree Libraries in places like Oregon, Washington, New Zealand, Ireland, and Germany.
When fires swept through parts of California’s ancient forests, these cloned trees provided a vital genetic backup, preserving the lineage of these hardy giants for generations to come.
A Personal Journey to the Canopy
I once shared with David my secret yearning to experience the forest from the lofty redwood canopy. Though terrified of heights, he extended an invitation to climb one of these giants with his expert team. Despite my fear and attempts to back out, I found myself strapped into a harness, ascending into a world few ever see.
At the top, I was enveloped in an otherworldly stillness. The wind whispered through fern fronds growing in tree cavities that act as natural reservoirs, nurturing the forest’s aerial ecosystem. These fern mats hold thousands of gallons of water and sustain insects and even salamanders who live their entire lives far above the forest floor.
From this sky-high vantage point, I grasped a sun needle cutting—soon to become a clone destined for another Living Tree Library. David explained that redwoods function like antennas, channeling energies from many dimensions and affecting our bodily glands differently. It was humbling to feel so intimately connected with these silent giants and the life they support.
Forest Wisdom: Healing and Connection
Spending time with these trees is more than a physical experience; it’s a deep communion. Like a cat circling to find its perfect resting spot, our bodies instinctively seek places rich with healing energy—known in some traditions as kami. By tuning into these energies, focusing breath and attention on areas needing renewal, and inviting the tree or nature spirit to aid in healing, we can receive subtle yet powerful support.
Gratitude is key. After connecting, offering thanks—whether through a song, prayer, or a simple gesture—honors the ancient relationship between humans and forest.
Our Shared Future with Champion Trees
The survival of champion trees is intertwined with ours. Their genetics offer hope for forest restoration, resilience, and biodiversity in a warming world. Through initiatives like AATA’s Living Tree Libraries, we preserve more than trees; we safeguard wisdom encoded in DNA, lessons in endurance written in bark and leaf.
As we deepen our relationship with these arboreal ancestors, we embark on a journey of healing, stewardship, and wonder. We learn not only to protect our forests but also to listen—to the whispers of the wind through the leaves, the silent stories etched in wood, and the profound mystery of life reaching skyward, generation after generation.
Ellen Dee Davidson is a forest guide and author dedicated to sharing the spiritual and healing power of ancient trees. Her book Sacred Forest Bathing invites readers to reconnect with nature’s wisdom and find renewal through the living world. She lives among the redwoods of Northern California.