Activists Stand Up to Power Company, Save Trees

 

Barbara Wilson of Jacksonville, Alabama (above right) had never been an activist before. But when a representative of the Alabama Power Company appeared at her front door last year and told her the company going to chop down the three 75-year-old pecan trees in her front yard, she decided not to take it lying down.

The power company had recently changed its longstanding policy of trimming trees underneath power lines to one of cutting them down. Wilson told the company she'd do everything in her power to stop them, and she put up signs in her yard and started a petition to save the trees.

Fellow Jacksonville resident and longtime Sierra Club activist Rufus Kinney (with Wilson, top photo) saw Wilson's signs and stopped to talk with her. And on the morning Alabama Power arrived to chop down the trees, they found Wilson and Kinney in folding chairs, chained to the trees, a crowd on hand, and Wilson's grandson Jake up in one of the trees, telling the power company to "leave my Nana's trees alone!"

Wilson, chained to one of her trees, talks with a reporter.

Kinney, chained to one of Wilson's trees, with neighbors Susan and Andy Hug.

Jake Wilson in the tree where he sat all day to save it from being cut down.

The power company set another date for removal, and this time not only were the two again chained to the trees, an even larger crowd and media were on hand. The company then sued Wilson and Kinney, who retained the pro bono services of Birmingham attorney Mark Martin (below at left, with Wilson, Kinney, and key supporter Derek Raulerson), who had successfully represented the Sierra Club before. Among other findings, Martin revealed that similarly situated trees in wealthier locales were being trimmed, not cut down.

In March 2008, a county circuit judge ruled that Alabama Power's new policy was illegal and there was no significant evidence it would increase safety. The company announced it would appeal the decision, but on June 18 it officially dropped its case against Wilson and Kinney.

"We received so much support from total strangers who appreciated us standing up for something we believed in," says Wilson.

"This is a wonderful victory for the trees, for democracy, and for the earth," Kinney says. "What's so gratifying is that people put traditional politics aside and came together for a common cause." Read more here.

Comments

[SoulLove]

Greetings and love! This is a wonderful example of what people can do when they have support and choose to support each other. Here in Japan, a similar situation happened on my street. I lost two trees because they were underneath powerlines. They were beautiful and strong. You would have loved them! I just happened to come home in time to see the tree destroyers finishing up the job. I had no prior warning. So, I needed to read of your victory. It gave me some hope. Thank you!!!

[Bill Brown]

I just lost my tree in my front yard. My landlord was worried it would damage his house that I live in. He and She cut it down on a Saturday when I was gone and hadn't informed me they were going to do it. I was crushed. By coincidence the following week was very hot and there was no tree to shade a portion of my house and me when I would come home from my daily outings. I had worked to trim it and clean the gutters for years and then it was gone. A living, breathing friend of mine is gone now.

Did you ever meet or know of Julia Butterfly ? Check out her story. Really beautiful. Condolances on your travail and Congratulations on your victory. I love it that your son said, " Leave my Nana's trees, alone ". My Nana was a beautiful, wonderful woman with many accomplishments, too.

We really are at one with everything in our enviournment.

Thanks, Bill

[kim]

How can anyone cut down trees on your property without warning you? It's immoral, impolite, and should be illegal.
People have to be warned and "disclosed" about everything these days, why not that?

[David J Trask]

It warms my heart to see that people will stand up for their rights regardless of the "cost". It is long since past time that public utilities understand that they can not just destroy the property of others and impinge on the Constitutional rights we all have. My hats off to the Wilsons for standing up for what they believe and taking a stand against any group or organization, public or private, that attempts to trampel on the rights of all Americans.

[Aaeron Robb]

Greetings To All,
We need to all recognize that with out plankton, trees and all the wide and varied flora of the world we will not have oxygen to sustain us, healthy hydrological cycling or even the greatest means of CO2 absorption. Shade is vital to cool our homes and green cools our tempers as studies out of Chicago have shown. We need to follow the lead of European nations and install new power lines under the ground which would prevent downed lines in violent weather or downed lines due to dropped tree limbs. We could also retroactively install downed lines subterranean as well. The initial cost would be made up for in the savings on repairs and tree pruning or removal. Finally the classist component of this reveals our anti democratic dis regard for folks with little monetary clout. Thank you for your precedent setting courage.

[Equa Yona]

Great story, and congratulations on the "tree roots" activism.

[Cher Robinson]

I am looking for a new home for a black walnut tree. Under, 10ft I unfortunately planted it on top of the power line, mine are buried. If it goes over when it grows it will take out the power for my neighbors.
I grew up nutting with my grandfather and grand aunts, If someone doesn't make a home for these trees a little part of American will die also.

[Cherie Thomas-Wood]

Bravo! Let's hope this spurs more action to *SAVE* Trees everywhere!!

[Weldon Lockerman]

I live in Rougemont, NC and I understand the need for trimming trees to avoid downed lines during icy weather, however, totally cutting down trees is a bit extreme. Just recently out front my home in our rural neck of the woods the trees were trimmed and we have two beautiful holly trees that stop short of the lines by about 8 feet. I still watched the crews and made sure they were not going to cut my beautiful hollys down and they didn't for which I am grateful. If they had indeed tried to take them down they would have had a fight on their hands and I'm glad you won that one with Alabama Power.

[Elisa Novick]

I have been working spiritually with a small section of forest for several years and have been giving a workshop there called TreePlay: Heart of the Forest. I have taught many people how to become attuned to these magnificent beings, each of which has a unique personality and spiritual functions. They are a very different but accessible form of intelligence and power, and we emerge from this forest transformed with joy. Some people have even experienced physical or emotional healings. In addition to providing us with oxygen and holding and fertilizing our soil, these trees also love us. Without them we could not live on this planet. Bless all of you who love and care for them.

[Virginia Fitzpatrick]

There are many trees in my township that have been disfigured by the Power Company. Still trees fall on them with every wind storm. Too bad those ugly power lines are not underground.

Trees are the lungs of the earth. If I had to choose between my electric power and my trees, I might just choose the trees. My trees keep my house cool in the summer and provide me with fire wood in the winter. Their nuts and fruits are perfect nourishment for humans and wildlife. Granted I would have to get a solar pac for my computer and go to bed when the Sun goes down. My colonial cook books explains how to cook in the fire place. I could get some batteries for my radio. Could we do it?

[Betty]

Save those wonderful trees. They are beautiful and also can eat the fruit of their labor.

[Greg]

What a wonderful story of community involvement for the betterment of the Urban forest! We are trying to save 7.3 acres of trees and add them to a natural area here in KC MO. If you are interested in helping us out with a small donation (or a large one) feel free to check out our story at graceyfoundation.org

[Greg]

What a wonderful story of community involvement for the betterment of the Urban forest! We are trying to save 7.3 acres of trees and add them to a natural area here in KC MO. If you are interested in helping us out with a small donation (or a large one) feel free to check out our story at graceyfoundation.org