Today is the New Year for Trees - Tu B'Shvat

Picture of an almond tree in bloom (Source: informedfarmers.com)

I am told that the almond tree blosssoms first in the springtime in Israel, before any new leaves are visible elsewhere...

In our house, knowing that's Tu B'Shvat means that the tune from Sally Heckelman's song comes into our minds...

"La la la la, today's the Holiday for Trees"

http://sallyandthedaffodils.com/music.html

A traditional song for this holiday is

HASH'KEDIYAH PORACHAT

T"U BISH'VAT HIGI'A

translated below:

The almond tree is blooming

Beneath the golden sun

Birds from every rooftop

Bless the arrival of the festival/tell us the holiday is here.
Tu B’Shvat is here—the festival of trees!

Tu B’Shvat is here—the festival of trees!

and sung http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0M42RHWZho&feature=related

"The custom on Tu B'Shvat is to eat fruits from the seven species for which the Land of Israel is praised: ...a land of wheat and barley and (grape) vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and (date) honey (Deut. 8:8).

Kabbalistic tradition also includes a mystical Tu B'Shvat seder service, where the inner dimensions of fruits are expounded, along with blessings, songs and deep discussion Celebrating this holiday in this way was spread by the Kabbalists in Safed in the 17th century. It was this group that introduced the custom of the four cups of differently colored wine to the Tu B’Shvat Seder, going from white, to rose, to light red, to dark red (symbolizing the ripening of the natural cycle)." source: Aish,com

Or indeed the movement from the lowest the highest of the four Kabbalistic worlds...

I also enjoyed Teddy Weinberger's reflections on the holiday's meaning for him, when living in Diaspora as well as when living in Eretz Yisrael (the land of Israel) in this article: http://www.ocjewishlife.com/site/tu-b%E2%80%99shvat-arbor-day/

On this Tu B'Shvat, we plant this tree as a symbol of regeneration of life in the world. May the planting of tree and the proper care of our world bring hope to all who are affacted by drought or famine, by war or by climate change. May peace be as abundant on earth as the trees of the woods and the flowers of the fields, and let us say, Amen. (Reform Siddur, UK)