There was a big pine tree in my neighborhood. Somebody digged the roots out and left it there for weeks. Half of the leaves was brown/ dried out, the other half was still green and fighting. I walked pass it many times until 8/25, a week before I’ll move out. I got to do something…
I brought a plastic bag to wrap the roots (to preserve the water) and wrote a big letter ‘Save’ on top then poured over 2 jars of water (I have no bucket). A lady stopped by. I explained what I was trying to do. She looked sympathetic but said ‘I don’t think it’d work’. I ignored that and finished my task. I then thought there may be an environmental protection or city public service that I could report the tree for help. I took some pictures, found a ‘saving city tree’ website, and called. The lady told me if the tree is on a private property, they couldn’t do anything yet she promised to have somebody check it.
I came back the next day, the tree was still there, I poured another 2 jars of water and everyday for the following week. Several times, people passed while I was doing it and I could hear people talking…Sometimes, I was a bit ‘shy’ and held-off pouring water until they passed.
This morning when I did my last walk before moving. The section completely changed. New trees and flowers were planned with new soil. One of the pine trees is trimmed and smaller. I’m not sure if it’s the healthier part/ ‘fighting’ tree or what happened to it yet I hope it lives on. I’m happy to see the change and glad for what I did even though I didn’t know if I made a difference.
Looking back, I can smile at ‘why I care what others say or think?’ I did what I believe the right thing to do, regardless of outcomes. When people succeed, make an impact, or it becomes a movement, we admire and call them ‘activists, movers ‘n shakers’ yet everything has a start. If you believe it’s a right things to do, DO it!