For more than two months, protesters in Arizona took turns living in an old cottonwood tree to keep it standing as crews built new border walls around it. The tree, known by activists as the “Grandmother” cottonwood, became the center of a growing protest in the small border community of Lochiel. But on October 5, Border Patrol agents moved into the camp, arrested protesters, and cleared the way for the tree to be cut down.
The protest began after contractors cut down three other old cottonwoods during border wall construction. On July 29, activists climbed into the last remaining tree and began a tree sit. Someone stayed in the tree around the clock for 71 days, while supporters camped nearby on private property.
The protest delayed construction around the tree even as sections of the double border wall went up on either side of it. The cottonwood was believed to be hundreds of years old, with estimates ranging as high as 250 years.
That ended early Monday morning. Masked Border Patrol agents arrived around 6:30 a.m. while activists were gathering for a sunrise ceremony. Activists said agents entered the camp as protesters demanded to see a warrant.
Video from the scene shows agents detaining people, while protesters can be heard warning that people were being pushed toward barbed wire. At least 20 people were arrested or cited, according to reporting from LOOKOUT.
After clearing the protest, authorities allowed contractors to bring the tree down. Video shows the huge cottonwood falling as protesters scream and cry nearby. The tree had become more than an obstacle to construction for the people protecting it.
Activists viewed it as an important part of the San Rafael Valley ecosystem and said the surrounding area provides habitat and a migration corridor for wildlife.
Internet Reacts to Arizona Cottonwood Being Cut Down
The footage was also shared on Instagram by @peccary_not_pig and later on Reddit, where commenters were upset about the tree’s destruction. One person wrote, “It is incredibly heartbreaking, trees hold so much wisdom and life. To see them so carelessly cut down, and for what? A wall, something that history has proven to never be effective.”
Another focused on the condition of the tree, writing, “It’s a beautiful, healthy old tree. Absolutely no reason to go ahead and destroy it. These guys are a disgrace to their uniforms.”
Others focused on the tree’s age. One commenter wrote, “The United States turned 250 years old this year. This tree was estimated to be around 250 years old. The current administration is literally tearing down this country.” Another shared a similar reaction: “This is so heartbreaking. They want to destroy everything, including nature.”
Some questioned why construction could not simply avoid the cottonwood. One wrote, “Surely there was a more intelligent solution? Aliens shaking their heads at humanity yet again.” Another asked, “They really couldn’t have gone AROUND the tree?”
According to Customs and Border Protection, four cottonwoods on federal land in Lochiel needed to be removed for planned wall construction.
