How to Draw a Tree of Life

Reviewed by Jeanine Hattas Wilson

Last Updated: January 29, 2024 References

The Tree of Life is a narrative therapy technique originally used with children impacted by HIV/AIDS in Africa. It involves illustrating a unique ‘tree of life’, in which many aspects of one's life are conveyed through symbolism.^{[1]
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Research source} It helps the person to be able to speak about their life in a positive way.^{[2]
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Research source} Each part of the tree represents something, and the drawing can be as elaborate as the artist would like.^{[3]
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Research source} Think for a moment about trees with positive associations in your life. You are about to draw one such tree.^{[4]
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Research source} If you find you need a few tips on drawing, read this article for some basics in tree drawing.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Drawing Your Own Tree of Life

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1
Draw the roots of the tree. These represent where you come from, and the people in life who have taught you the most. What anchors you when you are upset? Write it here. Your favourite place and your favourite song and book also go here.^{[5]
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Research source} You can return to your roots later if you want.
- The people of the First Nations may conceptualize the roots as still growing down and out, signifying that it is never too late to become more connected to your culture.
Where do you currently live? What activities do you choose to do on a weekly basis? Write in the ground the answers to these questions. Is your ground stable, or frequently changing? Consider how you portray your ground - is it flat and smooth, or bumpy?

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Draw the trunk. On the trunk, write your values and skills,^{[6]
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Research source} your qualities, what you are committed to in life, and your purpose.^{[7]
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- If it's hard to think of your skills, think about what people you love would say are your skills.
- Consider if there is any skill or talent you have which comes from your roots that you can add to your trunk. Sometimes, in tracing the history of things, you can add to your root system.^{[8]
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Write your hopes, dreams and wishes on the branches - for yourself and for other people.^{[9]
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On the leaves, write the names of important people in your life. They can be people who are still with you or people who have fallen away, like leaves in the wind.^{[10]
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The fruit represents the gifts you've been given or the legacies that have been passed onto you.^{[11]
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Research source}. The gifts can be things like kindnesses you want to remember, or significant material gifts, such as an 18th birthday present.
The seeds and flowers represent gifts that you want to give to others.^{[12]
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Research source} They can be similar to gifts you have received, or very different.^{[13]
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This is an optional step. The compost heap represents any challenging, but important parts of your growth - physically, mentally and emotionally.^{[14]
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This is an optional step. Storms are challenges you face in life. Write down specific problems, and how you can overcome them,^{[15]
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Research source} using the skills you have identified in your trunk.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Guiding Others to Make a Tree of Life

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Now that you have made your own Tree of Life, you are ready to help others make their Trees of Life, and create a strong forest together!

They need to be able to share their story from their perspective, to think about where they come from, to think about what they are good at, to think about their hopes, dreams and wishes, and to think about the important people in their lives. Explain this if working with a child.^{[16]
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Ask your participant to think for a moment about trees with positive associations in their life and to share this with the group. They are about to draw one such tree,^{[17]
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Research source} paying attention to its specific parts, drawing the tree step by step starting at the roots.^{[18]
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Ask them to draw the roots of the tree first, growing deep and strong underground. Then tell them that these represent where you come from, and the people in life who have taught you the most. What anchors you when you are upset? Write it here. Your favourite place and your favourite song and book also go here.^{[19]
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Research source} Reassure the participants that they can return to their roots later if they want.
If you know them well you can help prompt them with examples of weekly activities that they can put in their ground.
In addition to the questions you went through when you put your trunk together, you may wish to share an anecdote from your own life about a skill you have. Often, the roots or the ground will suggest skills or values to go in the trunk of the tree. Encourage your participants.
For older participants, a broken branch or a tree hollow may represent an old dream that they’ve had to let go.
If they want to put things that are negative that happened to them, they can still give some air and water to and turn them into good things with some work. Often, people in the compost heap are still in the rest of the tree too.
Emphasise that a forest is stronger than a single tree alone, and praise the beautiful forest of life that your participants have created. Go around a circle and allow the participants to discuss their trees of life.