Trees without visible fruit still have seed; the vine as image of the soul

What shall we say then? That the more valuable things by nature have obtained the first mention; and then, that to one who examines carefully, all things will appear either to use seed or to have what is equivalent to seed. For poplars, and willows, and elms, and white poplars, and all such trees seem to bear no fruit from what is evident, but one who examines carefully would discover that each of these has seed. For the kernel under the leaf, which some of those who have occupied themselves with word-making call 'mischos,' has the power of seed. For whatever naturally comes to be from branches, for the most part puts forth roots from this. And perhaps the offshoots of the roots also hold the place of seed, which the gardeners pull off and increase the kind. But first, as we said, the things more essential to our life were deemed worthy of mention, all that were going to receive man with their own fruits and prepare for him an abundant way of life: the vine producing wine that was going to gladden the heart of man, and the olive providing fruit able to make the face cheerful with oil (Psalm 103:15 (104:15)). How many things came together at the same time, brought forth urgently by nature? The root of the vine; the branches around it, flourishing and great, spread above the ground; the shoot, the tendrils, the unripe grape, the clusters. A vine seen with understanding is enough for your sight to produce in you a reminder of nature. For you remember clearly the image of the Lord, that he calls himself the vine, and the Father the vinedresser, and he called each one of us, having been grafted into the Church through faith, branches (John 15:1-2). And he summons us to abundant fruit, so that we may not be condemned for uselessness and handed over to the fire. And he does not cease everywhere to compare the souls of men to vines. For a vineyard was made for the beloved, he says, on a horn, in a rich place (Isaiah 5:1). And, I planted a vineyard, and put a hedge around it (Isaiah 5:2). He clearly means the human souls as the vineyard, around which he put a hedge—the security from the commandments and the guard of the angels. For the angel of the Lord will encamp around those who fear him (Psalm 33:8 (34:7)). Then he also fixed stakes for us, as it were, placing in the Church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers (1 Corinthians 12:28). And by the examples of the ancient and blessed men he leads our thoughts to the height, and did not leave them thrown on the ground and worthy of being trampled. He also wants us to hold fast to our neighbors by the twining of love, as if by tendrils, and to rest upon them, so that always having our impulse toward what is above, like some climbing vines we may set ourselves beside the tops of the highest things. He also requires us to accept being dug around. And the soul is dug around in the putting away of the cares of the world, which are a weight on our hearts. So the one who has put away fleshly love, and the friendship toward money, or has considered the anxiety for this wretched little glory to be spit upon and contemptible, has been dug around, as it were, and has breathed again, having put off the vain weight of the earthly mind. But it is necessary, according to the word of the proverb, not to grow wild like wood—that is, not to live ostentatiously, nor to hunt for praise from outsiders—but to be fruitful, storing up the display of works for the true vinedresser.