The human world progresses rapidly, with an emphasis on “speed, progress, and machines,” as the chestnut tree remains the same. By now, this specific tree is inextricably bound to the history of the Hoel family in Iowa. It even becomes Jørgen’s final resting place, outliving him and remaining a constant presence even as dramatic shifts take place in the Hoels’ lives. In this context, the chestnut tree represents the idea that trees are witnesses to history in their own right, and that they experience time in a vastly different way than people do.