Rooted: What Our Favorite Trees Say About Us

At Cosmic Centaurs, we work with leaders and teams to build cultures of connection, alignment, and purpose. At the heart of that work is a belief: when people know each other beyond their roles, they work better together. That’s why we design rituals that spark reflection, invite vulnerability, and deepen trust across teams.

One of our favorite prompts—featured in our Cosmic Conversations card deck—is a simple yet powerful question: “What’s your favorite tree, and why?”

If you’ve attended any of our in-person events, you’ve probably answered it. The question always reveals something unexpected: a memory, a value, a piece of someone’s identity. As part of our five-year anniversary campaign, we turned the question inward and asked our own Centaurs to share their answers.

Here are the favorite trees by Team Centaur.

🌍 Trees Rooted in Place

Bougainvillea“It reminds me of home. There's a beautiful contrast in how its papery petals and pale colors grow in such a free, wild way.” — Hadeel

Cedar: “Their strength and endurance remind me of my roots and the village where I come from.” — Marie

Palm Tree: “I feel at home when I see them. I grew up in a city with a beautiful palm grove. They symbolize resilience, fertility, peace, and tranquility.” — Mounia

Olive Tree: “As a Palestinian, the olive tree represents our heritage and deep roots to the land. It’s also native to Slovenia, where my husband is from. Two different cultures—united by one tree.” — Tala

Cherry Blossom: “In Japan, cherry blossoms felt serene—beautifying everything around them with their presence.” — Mayar

Moringa: “Moringa reminds  me of my Dad— the trees  are in our backyard.” — Razan

🌳 Trees that Carry Wisdom

Oak: “Its age and immensity remind me how small we are, and how much came before us.” — Marilyn

Willow: “Its grace and melancholy help me disconnect from my worries.” — Isabelle

Sakura: “Their delicate beauty and quiet wisdom remind us to cherish every passing moment.” — Faten

Olive: “Every time I see an olive tree, I’m reminded of peace, wisdom, and abundance.” — Zeinab

💪 Trees That Symbolize Resilience

Red Oak: “A symbol of strength and resilience. It reminds me that even in the face of challenges, there’s always room for growth.” — Aya

Juniper: “I love the juniper tree in the highest lands of Lebanon. Its twisted trunk, deep roots, and evergreen canopy embody wisdom, survival, and timeless beauty.” — Nadine

These reflections speak to more than just trees—they reveal something of who we are, and what we carry with us. As a team, we come from different places, speak different languages, and hold different memories. But this simple ritual reminds us that meaning can grow from the same question in many directions.

If you’d like to bring these kinds of conversations into your own team, you can find this prompt—and many others—on our Cosmic Conversations Card Deck, designed to help teams connect through thoughtful, intentional dialogue.

And if you’re reading this, we invite you to pass the question along: What’s your favorite tree—and why? You might be surprised by what it reveals.