As Laurie Lewis observes of the song: “’Trees’” considers mortality, commerce and capitalism, the cycles of the seasons and agriculture, and how all gains are built on losses. Built off of bluegrass and old-time’s gospel traditions, it finds ample hope in its message of ebb and flow, growth and harvest, life and death. I think there’s one very strong thread in this album, a thread of loss. I’m not a ‘Pollyanna,’ I just feel like I can’t be. But even in loss, there’s so much joy, too. And there’s so much beauty and I want to have room for all of that.”