Julia's Tree is Cut!
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Stafford, California --On December 10, 1997 Julia Butterfly Hill climbed onto a Northern California Sequoia sempervirens (redwood) to protest the plight of ancient forests. Ms. Hill lived on this arbor pulpit for nearly two years. The tree - a focus of recent controversy - was fought over, preached from, promoted in the press and finally preserved -- now, only to be partly cut with a chainsaw.
Although the tree is still alive and standing, environmentalist are worried about it's future health. The Circle of Life Foundation says, "Luna is extremely vulnerable to a windstorm. Judging from the precision of the cut and the fresh sawdust, the criminal action appears to have been committed by an experienced treefaller within the last few days."
It was reported that Julia Hill was devastated to learn of the injury to the tree called "Luna". "Luna is the greatest teacher and best friend I have ever had" she is quoted as saying..
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Even posters on the pro logging Forestry Board at About Forestry called the act misguided and unfortunate. One logger wrote, "For some reason I feel bad because of this. Even though it was probably done by vandals, it is a blow to the logging industry because the company that owned the tree agreed not to cut it and also provided a surrounding buffer." The initial reaction from the logging and forestry community has been one of public silence but private concern.
The Luna Preservation Agreement, signed by Julia Hill and PL/Maxxam Corp., was designed to protect the tree called "Luna" in perpetuity. The tree was saved along with some surrounding property. The cut was discovered over the Thanksgiving weekend.
A criminal investigation is under way.
Further Reading on the "Luna" Cutting:
Circle of Life
Foundation
"The
Circle of Life Foundation envisions a sustainable culture that honors biological and
cultural diversity."
More
Earthfilm.org Photos
Photo's of Julia Hill talking about the cutting.
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