An Introduction to Parental Dendrology

Last week, Andel and I attending a Growing Kids with Character (GKC) workshop with Hettie Brittz of Evergreen Parenting, where we were introduced to the concept of 'parental dendrology'. We found the sessions so interesting and helpful, I thought it would be good to share with you all too.

What's 'dendrology'?

Ok, this is my own terminology, but it fits. Dendrology is the study of wooded plants, and based on GKC's model of temperaments, each person is an absolute or combination of four different tree types. I love that they use the analogy of trees because children, like trees, come in different shapes and sizes, with vastly different needs and temperaments, and if we desire for them to grow and thrive, we have to ensure that the environment in which they are planted is most suitable for their development.

So what are the tree types?

The tree types are based on temperament - a God-designed, purposeful and permanent natural bent that gives each person direction. Each tree type has characteristic attributes:

1. Palm Tree - positive, affectionate, entertaining, social; experimental and attention seeking; they figure out who they are by how people respond to them
2. Rose Bush - ambitious, independent, natural leader, early developer; feisty and intimidating
3. Lollipop Tree - sweet, polite, sensitive; easy learners with high standards; they follow instructions and operate in justice (i.e. value fairness)
4. Pine Tree - calm, comfort orientated, peacemaking, persevering, faithful, trusting and trustworthy; procrastinating, indecisive; hard to read

(please note: it is possible to be a combination of these types e.g. lollipine or rosepalm)

What difference does knowing your child's tree type make?

Tree types, much like Dr. Gary Chapman's Love Languages, help us effectively interact with each other. In the case of parents and children it is especially helpful to build relationship (demonstrate love, enjoy effective communication) and apply discipline (how to respond and provide teaching/correction).

How do we apply this?

If you are a parent/grandparent, or even an educator or facilitator, I'd strongly recommend you get your hands on a copy of Growing Kids with Character 2.0. It contains material to help determine profiles (from babies to adulthood) as well as lots of excellent guidelines on the different needs, challenges and approaches relevant to each. As a little taster, here are some intro tips for building relationships and fostering discipline:

Palm Trees need fun, attention and adoration, and are best disciplined with action (as opposed to words only), flexibility and humour.

Rose Bushes require challenges, trust and admiration, and respond to correction best when the parent is firm and calm, and provides them with options.
Lollipop Trees enjoy the process of talking, and being understood and affirmed. They like the structure of rules and are most open to empathetic, coaching-style discipline.
Pine Trees like quality time and attention, touch and appreciation, and need to be disciplined gently, with patience, ensuring that they are being partnered with, not isolated.


More and more, I'm learning to accept that, we are God's A-plan for our children, and so it's up to us to be best prepared to understand them, love them and prepare them for life in the world.

For more information on this, including resources of practical application, please go to www.kddskool.co.za. Also, if you are interested in these profiles for adults and leadership, please go to www.talltreestraining.com.