Trees

Noah talks to Dorothy Garren of Gaylordsville, Connecticut about the Washington Oak, a 400 year old tree across the road from her house. The tree is an historic site because George Washington once ate lunch with his men in its shade. Garren's grandmother donated the tree and the land around it to the Daughters of the American Revolution. Recently, the tree was severely damaged by a storm. Noah also talks to Howard Stevens, the arborist who was called to inspect the tree after the damage. He says that the damage is so extensive that the tree might not be saved. This story brought to mind W. S. Merwin's story "Unchopping a Tree" from his collection "The Miner's Pale Children." Noah also talks to Jackie Prince Roberts, an environmental scientist with the Environmental Defense Fund, about the EDF's suggestions for making holiday celebrations more environmentally sound. John Waters of Arlington, Virginia, opposes one of those tips strongly: the one that recommends getting an artificial tree rather than a real one.