A lone tree in a field, also known as a solitary or stand-alone tree, is a sign of shade and shelter, but it can also symbolize the transition of seasons from spring into winter, the passage of time. The leaves fall, but the branches continue to reach into the sky. I took the photo because this tree, unlike so many I see, has a large gash along its trunk, reaching up from the ground. Over time, the edges grew over with bark, curling into its center, hinting at a depth within. The tree carries the weight of shoes tied to its branches in memory of life. Despite its lack of leaves at the moment, this tree has clearly lived and survived.