HTP Tree Drawing Interpretation: Roots, Trunk, Branches, Fruit
Of the three HTP drawings, the tree is known for showing the self-image closest to the unconscious. People tend to draw it with less self-awareness than when drawing a person, so feelings they did not fully recognize and traces of what they have lived through come out more easily. What follows are commonly used interpretive hypotheses, and no judgment is based on a single feature.
What a Tree Drawing Shows
A tree puts down roots, grows toward the sun and endures the seasons. That is why a tree drawing is thought to reflect the vitality and will to grow of the person who drew it, the strength that has carried them this far, and the way they deal with hurt. When asked how old the tree is, the answer often connects to the person's actual age or the age they feel inside.
Roots and Ground
Roots are interpreted in connection with a sense of security and the foundation you lean on. Roots set firmly in the ground suggest stability, while roots exposed above the ground may carry a wish to hold on to that foundation, or anxiety. A tree that seems to float with no ground line is sometimes seen as a sign that there is no certain place to stand. Leaving out the roots altogether is very common, so it is often not given any special meaning.
Trunk
The trunk is linked to the strength that holds you up and to the strength of the ego. A thick, straight trunk may reflect steady energy, while a thin, weak trunk may reflect exhaustion or lowered confidence. Knots, holes or wounds drawn on the trunk are sometimes read as traces of painful experiences in life, and their height on the trunk is sometimes used to guess at when those experiences happened.
Branches, Leaves and Crown
The upper part where branches and leaves come together (the crown) is thought to show the wish to reach out and connect with the world, along with goals and hopes.
- Branches spreading evenly in all directions: an open attitude toward others and the world
- Branches reaching upward: a desire for achievement and growth
- Cut or broken branches: experiences of frustration, things that did not go as hoped
- A tree without leaves: a worn-out state, though it may simply be a winter tree, so check with questions
- A rounded, cloud-like crown: an effort to soften and settle one's emotions
Fruit, Flowers and Other Elements
Fruit and flowers are linked to achievement, results and the wish to be loved. Falling fruit or leaves are sometimes read as a sense of loss or regret. Elements such as a bird, a nest or a swing on the tree often reveal a longing for connection and care.
Cautions When Interpreting
After the drawing is done, asking questions like "How old is this tree?", "Is this tree healthy?" or "What does this tree need?" brings out stories the drawing alone cannot tell. Even if someone draws a withered tree, the interpretation changes a great deal if they answer, "It's winter now, so it's just resting."
The InnerSketch tree drawing test also analyzes your drawing together with your answers to questions like these.
The interpretations here summarize hypotheses commonly used in counseling and are not a medical diagnosis. If difficult feelings persist, please talk to a professional.