Your definition of a tree hugger

Ekka · 26th January 2008, 03:42 PM

The terms been kicked around for ages, some not sure what it means others branded by it and so on.

The catalyst for the thread was reading this line and thinking about replying to it, realising that to reply one would have define what a tree hugger is.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dguntertrees

Can you be a good Arborist and NOT a Tree Hugger?

So, what is a tree hugger?

We had touched on the subject in this thread.

Hug to a tree! and discovered that the real concept of people hugging trees to prevent felling was born in India in the early 70's and known as the Chipko movement.

However now some 30 years later with strong emphasis placed on environmental protection there's a developing psyche that people who cut trees down etc are doing a BAD THING. At times with little understanding or knowledge total strangers will remark at your job site calling you things or expressing their disappointment at a tree being cut down.

I know I have called them tree huggers.

So, what is your definition of a tree hugger?

And for the question of can you be a good arborist and not a tree hugger what do you think?

I'll let others go first, and dont be shy, this is a free for all have your say, from tree huggers to tree haters, let it rip.

windthrown · 26th January 2008, 05:04 PM

Around here it is pretty simple and straight forward. Tree huggers climb trees and/or chain themselves to trees so that they cannot be felled. The archtype tree hugger is Julia Hill, AKA "Butterfly", that camped out in a redwood tree in Humbolt for months and made the news:

CNN - Tree-hugger lives atop Redwood to save forest - June 22, 1998

Now there is also TreeHugger, a more or less environmental web site that is commercial, and as such somewhat contradictory in my view. Like treehuggers that drive Volvos to rallies... buring gas.

My view is quite different. Old growth trees are not always in the best shape or health, and if you want more biomass per acre, you have to clear cut and replant. At least with Doug firs you do. Tree hugging by cutting.

azrael · 26th January 2008, 05:28 PM

Ekka...are you

..... for me.....?

Ekka · 26th January 2008, 05:35 PM

Blah hah haha, you were caught and gutted long ago.

newguy18 · 26th January 2008, 07:09 PM

believe a good arborist should advocate tree care.I for one prmote the removal of large trees in metropolitan areas and in thier place plant small trees and shrubs that have a better chance for survival with alot less maintance.I also believe that if the trees are in the way of the power wires unless it is an extremly protected species or if its gonna get topped should be removed.i believe a tree hugger is pretty much what windthrown discribed someone who chains themselves to trees.

Pro Nemus · 26th January 2008, 07:42 PM

A tree hugger is a new climber who is afraid to trust their lifeline.

One of my guys likes to tell people that he hugs the trees from the top down.

Ekka · 26th January 2008, 07:46 PM

Like Koalas. LOL

JayD · 26th January 2008, 09:00 PM

A little from columb A,...And a little from columb B.
We are all tree huggers,..but to what extent vareis greatly.

bigshea13 · 27th January 2008, 06:32 AM

i dont know but i hope i fit the profile.

newguy18 · 27th January 2008, 06:45 AM

it might just fit shea.

D Mc · 27th January 2008, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newguy18

believe a good arborist should advocate tree care.I for one prmote the removal of large trees in metropolitan areas and in thier place plant small trees and shrubs that have a better chance for survival with alot less maintance.I also believe that if the trees are in the way of the power wires unless it is an extremly protected species or if its gonna get topped should be removed.i believe a tree hugger is pretty much what windthrown discribed someone who chains themselves to trees.

I know a lot of Public Works Directors would love you. Many developers (at least in our area) have your attitude, get rid of the big, mature trees (that are inconvenient) and replace them with small "cheaper" trees. Whereas this philosophy might sound money wise, it is not necessarily in the best interests of the trees, citizens, or the environment.

Soooo, I am hoping that you are referring to cities that are already, in essence, a "concrete jungle" with no place for a tree, high traffic, high target areas. Such areas that are more suitable to container plants and small islands of greenery.

I do agree about under the utility lines. I would advocate that when a tree does have to come down that it be planted with an acceptable species (and that might be grass, shrubs or nothing).

I LOVE big, mature, magnificent trees. Uh-oh, does that make me a tree-hugger?

If so, I'll take that label.

S Mc

polly · 27th January 2008, 01:28 PM

I agree with Dmc, big mature trees do have a place in our cities as long as they are regularly inspected ( from in the canopy) and given half a chance with enough root space and mulch , they are really important for many reasons.

Then again sometimes they have no future ,are in the wrong place and do need to come down.

I think more research needs to go into wildlife corridors , which species of animals lives in which areas and exactly what species of trees they rely on for foodsource and habitat, those tree should be planted with their native understorey and biodiversity needs to be promoted , the public educated about this, more than is already happening.
there was a really interesting article on science daily website the other week about thinking of wildlife corridors as circuit systems, looking at a whole city like a circuit system where wildlife can get through and where the weak points are etc.How to improve the weak points.

I'm definatly a tree hugger, I appreciate alot of them, even the little guys, but would consider myself more of an environmenatlist as I think the whole picture needs to be looked at.

Mine is just one tangent as trees do provide so many benefits in so many different ways.

Sean Freeman · 27th January 2008, 02:17 PM

Tree hugger and frotter and kisser from waaaay back....work to retain more big old trees in our towns and cities, accept where we are not willing to give them space and work from a position of informed knowledge rather than blind absolutism on either side.

You know even accepting the derogatory definintions without some of those "chained to tree individuals" you wouldn't have many of the (limited) national parks that increasing play a critical role in the rapidly altering environment in which we all live, its worth considering that over our brief occupation of this earth the things we accept as being right and proper have changed somewhat (with respects to our role in extracting resource from the earth) and often (not always!) those who have argued for conservation and having strict limits on our insatiable desire to consume have presented a more sustainable model.

Hindsight is great, but you really want to hope that we don't need to rely on it in the next 100yrs!!

Therrin · 27th January 2008, 02:25 PM

Shea.... whoa... wait, that isnt you is it?

I think treehuggers are the Sierra Club types who go out and wrap their arms 'round the trunk...

Then again, I think this site has made me a bit more of a "tree hugger" as I'm now more interested in seeing what I can do to keep them up and help them out than just take em down all the time.

clementine · 27th January 2008, 02:43 PM

I think that there is a whole range of so called "Tree Huggers" and the majority of them advocate to loving trees because they are beautiful objects and good for the environment and they are worth our respect. We should be called "Tree Lovers" IMO.

A real "Tree Hugger" IMO is the one that can differenciate between a tree that needs taking down for its own good and trees that are going to be felled for no other reason than developement.

After realising that the developement cannot be halted through peaceful means, they are fanatical enough to go and try to stop this from happening by means of protest often involving climbing the trees or attaching themselves to them.

ozinus · 27th January 2008, 02:50 PM

Did Shigo not ask us all to "touch trees" If you define a fanatical love for trees without the understanding of how they work as a tree hugger I will still back this up as it shows innate within us is, a desire to care for the natural things around us. I just think that this desire can be quantified and explained so that people have no choice but to listen to the science that they are given.

26th January 2008, 05:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
windthrown Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pacific Northwest USA Posts: 127	Re: Your definition of a tree hugger Around here it is pretty simple and straight forward. Tree huggers climb trees and/or chain themselves to trees so that they cannot be felled. The archtype tree hugger is Julia Hill, AKA "Butterfly", that camped out in a redwood tree in Humbolt for months and made the news: CNN - Tree-hugger lives atop Redwood to save forest - June 22, 1998 Now there is also TreeHugger, a more or less environmental web site that is commercial, and as such somewhat contradictory in my view. Like treehuggers that drive Volvos to rallies... buring gas. My view is quite different. Old growth trees are not always in the best shape or health, and if you want more biomass per acre, you have to clear cut and replant. At least with Doug firs you do. Tree hugging by cutting. __________________ So few saws, so many trees... Stihls: 210/250-/025/290/361/FS85 Echo: CS-3000, Olympyk & Mac doorstops

26th January 2008, 05:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
azrael Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Earth Australia Posts: 335	Re: Your definition of a tree hugger Ekka...are you ..... for me.....?

26th January 2008, 05:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,869	Re: Your definition of a tree hugger Blah hah haha, you were caught and gutted long ago. __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

26th January 2008, 07:09 PM	#5 (permalink)
newguy18 Part of the Furniture Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Live Oak Florida home of the crapiest trees you will ever see. Posts: 2,629	Re: Your definition of a tree hugger believe a good arborist should advocate tree care.I for one prmote the removal of large trees in metropolitan areas and in thier place plant small trees and shrubs that have a better chance for survival with alot less maintance.I also believe that if the trees are in the way of the power wires unless it is an extremly protected species or if its gonna get topped should be removed.i believe a tree hugger is pretty much what windthrown discribed someone who chains themselves to trees. __________________ Have your say join us today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzkd_m4ivmc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzfzb...eature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-OqK...eature=related

26th January 2008, 07:42 PM	#6 (permalink)
Pro Nemus Sappling Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Detroit, MI Posts: 39	Re: Your definition of a tree hugger A tree hugger is a new climber who is afraid to trust their lifeline. One of my guys likes to tell people that he hugs the trees from the top down.

26th January 2008, 07:46 PM	#7 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,869	Re: Your definition of a tree hugger Like Koalas. LOL __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

26th January 2008, 09:00 PM	#8 (permalink)
JayD Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 886	Re: Your definition of a tree hugger A little from columb A,...And a little from columb B. We are all tree huggers,..but to what extent vareis greatly. __________________ Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory

27th January 2008, 06:45 AM	#10 (permalink)
newguy18 Part of the Furniture Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Live Oak Florida home of the crapiest trees you will ever see. Posts: 2,629	Re: Your definition of a tree hugger it might just fit shea. __________________ Have your say join us today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzkd_m4ivmc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzfzb...eature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-OqK...eature=related

27th January 2008, 01:28 PM	#12 (permalink)
polly former member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Adelaide Hills Posts: 74	Re: Your definition of a tree hugger I agree with Dmc, big mature trees do have a place in our cities as long as they are regularly inspected ( from in the canopy) and given half a chance with enough root space and mulch , they are really important for many reasons. Then again sometimes they have no future ,are in the wrong place and do need to come down. I think more research needs to go into wildlife corridors , which species of animals lives in which areas and exactly what species of trees they rely on for foodsource and habitat, those tree should be planted with their native understorey and biodiversity needs to be promoted , the public educated about this, more than is already happening. there was a really interesting article on science daily website the other week about thinking of wildlife corridors as circuit systems, looking at a whole city like a circuit system where wildlife can get through and where the weak points are etc.How to improve the weak points. I'm definatly a tree hugger, I appreciate alot of them, even the little guys, but would consider myself more of an environmenatlist as I think the whole picture needs to be looked at. Mine is just one tangent as trees do provide so many benefits in so many different ways.

27th January 2008, 02:17 PM	#13 (permalink)
Sean Freeman PDF King & Arborist Extrodinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,645	Re: Your definition of a tree hugger Tree hugger and frotter and kisser from waaaay back....work to retain more big old trees in our towns and cities, accept where we are not willing to give them space and work from a position of informed knowledge rather than blind absolutism on either side. You know even accepting the derogatory definintions without some of those "chained to tree individuals" you wouldn't have many of the (limited) national parks that increasing play a critical role in the rapidly altering environment in which we all live, its worth considering that over our brief occupation of this earth the things we accept as being right and proper have changed somewhat (with respects to our role in extracting resource from the earth) and often (not always!) those who have argued for conservation and having strict limits on our insatiable desire to consume have presented a more sustainable model. Hindsight is great, but you really want to hope that we don't need to rely on it in the next 100yrs!! __________________ Sean Trees are poems that earth writes upon the sky, We fell them down and turn them into paper, That we may record our emptiness. - Kahlil Gibran

27th January 2008, 02:25 PM	#14 (permalink)
Therrin The Tree World Bandit Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lancaster, Ca Posts: 1,254	Re: Your definition of a tree hugger Shea.... whoa... wait, that isnt you is it? I think treehuggers are the Sierra Club types who go out and wrap their arms 'round the trunk... Then again, I think this site has made me a bit more of a "tree hugger" as I'm now more interested in seeing what I can do to keep them up and help them out than just take em down all the time. __________________ Ken Fessia I.T.S.A. Tree Service (661) 916-4703

27th January 2008, 02:43 PM	#15 (permalink)
clementine Mature tree Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Central Portugal Posts: 282	Re: Your definition of a tree hugger I think that there is a whole range of so called "Tree Huggers" and the majority of them advocate to loving trees because they are beautiful objects and good for the environment and they are worth our respect. We should be called "Tree Lovers" IMO. A real "Tree Hugger" IMO is the one that can differenciate between a tree that needs taking down for its own good and trees that are going to be felled for no other reason than developement. After realising that the developement cannot be halted through peaceful means, they are fanatical enough to go and try to stop this from happening by means of protest often involving climbing the trees or attaching themselves to them. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons - for you are crunchy and taste of chicken! Builder in Central Portugal

27th January 2008, 02:50 PM	#16 (permalink)
ozinus Banned Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Brisbane Posts: 59	Re: Your definition of a tree hugger Did Shigo not ask us all to "touch trees" If you define a fanatical love for trees without the understanding of how they work as a tree hugger I will still back this up as it shows innate within us is, a desire to care for the natural things around us. I just think that this desire can be quantified and explained so that people have no choice but to listen to the science that they are given.