UNCHOPPING A TREE

In this essay, Merwin gives instructions for repairing a tree that has been chopped down. In other words, the essay is telling us to preserve the environment.

The essayist tells us that repairing of the tree should begin with leaves, twigs and nests, which have been broken off by the fall. It is not difficult work if the major limbs are not badly destroyed. The unchopping can be made easier by the correct or planned fall. The success of unchopping also depends on the size, age, shape and species of the tree. The regular and tedious work may make you wish the support of animals. But they will not help you because they have learned that this is man’s work.

If the tree is hollow and it contains nests, hoards of nuts and structures that bees and wasp build for their survival, repairing work is more difficult. Everything has to be reassembled and stick them back to their original place. Furthermore, it is difficult to put back webs and dry leaves. We do not have spider’s webbing equipment nor substitute for the leaf’s living bond with its points of attachment and nourishment. This is also the time for repairing neighboring trees or bushes or other growth that have been damaged by the fall.

The tackle and scaffolding should be placed on the right place depending on the surrounding and dimensions of the tree. If they are not installed carefully, they can further damage and grind neighboring trees, plants and other vegetation.

When the time comes to erect the trunk, you need to now t delicacy of the huge tree. Every slight upward pull of the trunk must go with every motion of the tackle. Putting the trunk back into place is very difficult because the end of the trunk is broken into splinters. It is necessary to straighten the splinters by using appropriate fixative and adhesives. After this sawdust and chips of broken wood should be returned to their original place although weathering makes the work very difficult.

The next day you have to remove the scaffolding piece by piece. When you remove the last piece, the tree stands on its own. You hardly believe your eyes. It stands as if the first breeze and the motion of the clouds can push it over. What you can do is only look and wait.