Tree Reading Technique
I was introduced to the connection between art and personality when I found a book about art therapy for one dollar at an outdoor fair in Vermont. I didn’t realize that the direction of my life’s work was about to change course. The technique that I want to share with you is an easy to learn way to identify individual traits of a person through a simple tree drawing.
Someone once described my personality by saying, "strangers are just friends that Janet hasn’t met yet." The insights into people’s personalities without restriction of language, culture, or gender barriers allows me to befriend many new people.
The best part is you don’t need to memorize anything. All you need to do is smile at someone that you meet, male or female, introduce yourself, and say, “Have you got two minutes? Would you draw a tree for me?”, and hand them a pen and piece of paper.
What is Tree Drawing Interpretation? Trees, since the beginning of time in the Garden of Eden to the Kabalistic Tree of Life, have been used as metaphors to represent an individual’s nature. Tree Drawing Interpretation gives you insight into a person’s individual style. Remember every individual is unique and special. A tree drawing can read like a piece of art or a subconscious road map, and it can reveal new insights about every person you meet. Knowing how to interpret tree drawings can give you access to authentic characteristics that are revealed in a non-verbal, non-threatening, and uniquely personal and individual way. Tree interpretation is an easy-to-learn skill that creates a foundation of trust and communication with . There is no right, wrong, good, or bad way to draw a tree. No matter how a tree is drawn, it will contain valuable insights about the person who drew the tree. All you need to do is give the person a piece of paper and say, “Would you please draw a tree for me?” The tree does all the work. |
Tree interpretations are not meant to take the place of professional mental health counseling but are a very useful tool to start a conversation and develop rapport and improve relationships. There should be no judgment when using this technique about the person who is drawing the tree. You don’t need to be a psychic or mind reader to learn this technique!
The Eight Basic Steps For Tree Drawing Interpretation
Step One: Ask the Person to Draw you a Tree
Step Two: Determine Placement
Fold the paper with the pre-printed box in half vertically. Judge the placement in relation to the center fold. Determine if the tree located left of the fold, drawn on the fold, to the right of the fold, or in one of the four quadrants.
You should decide which part of the tree (the treetop, trunk, or roots) has the strongest message and interpret that characteristic first by looking it up in the outline.
Step Three: Evaluate the Tree Drawing as a Whole:
It is important to evaluate the entire drawing and focus on the main element that catches your attention.
However, there are two things that you should always look for as a starting point.
A distinct line separating the treetop and trunk implying the person is stubborn and will probably doubt what you say.
A distinct line at the base of the tree implying the person doesn’t trust or listen to their inner voice or instincts.
Step 4: Assess the Details of the Tree Drawing
- The details to observe are:
Size of tree - Shading
- Line quality
If you notice the proportions of a particular part of the tree are obviously exaggerated, the person who drew the tree is calling attention to that part of his/her life.
Step Five: Classify the Type of Tree in the Drawing
The variety of trees that people draw provides a starting point to understand the individual’s unique characteristics.
Step Six: Identify the specific parts of tree drawn.
The Tree Top describes a person’s relationship with the outside world. The components of the tree top to investigate are:
- Tree top shape
- Branches
- Leaves
The Trunk symbolizes home life. The components of the trunk to investigate are:
- Knotholes
- Clear or textured
- The width and height of the trunk in relation to the treetop and roots
The trunk can also serve as a personal timeline and indicate the age when a life changing event or experienced happened. The knothole in a live tree indicates trauma to the tree. In the drawing, knotholes can express life changing or traumatic events whose memory is affecting the individual today.
The Roots express the individual’s influence from their family past and how much they trust their instincts or inner voice. The components of the trunk to investigate are:
- Split in the roots, uprooted
- Open ended roots
- Are they attached to the trunk? Are they nourishing the trunk?
Step Seven: Are Other Things Drawn in the Picture?
Each detail should be viewed and interpreted individually. The details in or around the tree provide additional information about their relationship to their world.
Step Eight: Putting It All Together
When following the "A Quick Guide to Tree Drawing Interpretation", there are 150 descriptions of characteristics possible to be evaluated. If you find you are not sure what you are seeing, ask the person for clarification. You should never guess. Just interpret what is drawn.
You only need to find 2 - 3 things to identify to begin the process.
