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Jeffrey Kursonis's avatar

The poor and capricious urban planning that gutted you as a child is something we should fight against in redesigning how urban spaces evolve. People in a neighborhood should have meaningful say over their trees…sometimes like with eminent domain the greater good must occasionally overcome local interests but negotiations with real authority in the local vote should take place…it’s very likely capricious quick decisions by disconnected bureaucrats could be modified creatively by the creative insights of locals who really care…and when their voice is heard and given value it makes for a better end result for everyone.

I really mourn your loss. That’s like being anti-war because you saw humans gunned down with your own eyes. You’ve seen Arendt’s quote about the banality of evil before your eyes. Somewhere a bureaucrat signed a work order that morning and workers dispatched did the deed. Killing a lifeform that stood and gave life in that neighborhood for generations. I hope the mycelium sent out laments and mournings to the plant community nearby. They certainly transmit the hugs.

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Claudia Befu's avatar

It’s tough, the trees were old (by human standards) and the neighbours wanted more light in their homes. What to do?

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Juliana Barnet's avatar

Claudia, I share your concern over the poor portrayals of tree huggers and your tears at trees being chopped down—I still cry about it! I read the story of Amrita to my daughter when she was small, though I think the author changed the gruesome ending of the real life story. I look forward to reading The Cooperatives and getting acquainted with your cool tree hugger!

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Claudia Befu's avatar

Thank you, Juliana! I hope there will be more fiction writing involving nature and our relationship with the natural world. And I hope it will be cool writing. Enjoy The Cooperatives!

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Alexander Ipfelkofer's avatar

They cut down the oak in the park outside our house last year. Beautiful tree. It didn't look sick... maybe it was... it's gone, the huge stump a permanent reminder of years erased.

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Claudia Befu's avatar

Oh no, why? Why do people do this? Was it about to collapse on someone‘s head? I’m sorry for your loss, truly.

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Alexander Ipfelkofer's avatar

Never found out why. It wasn’t going to collapse or anything.

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Claudia Befu's avatar

So strange. Especially since it was in a park.

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Ben Wakeman's avatar

I love trees too. It’s a reason why I’ve stayed in Atlanta- it’s actually called the city of trees. Your tender memory of the linden trees is so touching and real. I want to go back and read the Cooperatives now.

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Claudia Befu's avatar

Yeah, little four-year-old Claudita crying her heart out for the linden trees. It feels like growing up takes away some of our natural connection with the non-human world.

Thanks for your kind words and enjoy the story, Ben.

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Nathan Slake's avatar

Great and important essay and thoughts, Claudia. Hopefully there is increasing education about the importance of trees.

We did a local, indigenous version of shinrin-yoku last year in the Royal Botanic Gardens, which was excellent, although we (and the other people doing it, most likely) are not the ones that needed the awareness. Still, I enjoyed the process and I'm ever conscious of the mental (and physical) health benefits of being out there and walking under the trees.

I always enjoy hearing the snippets of how you take things into your own fiction.

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Claudia Befu's avatar

Thank Nathan, I always wonder if backstage sneak-peeks are interesting for readers, especially if they didn't catch up with the fiction. I try to write them as separate from the fiction and stand alone as possible. Thanks for your feedback, I'll keep on doing this. I also enjoy collecting my thoughts and reflecting on why I wrote something.

I love the idea of a forest shower session in a botanical garden. Is it a large one? Perhaps I could combine that with driving tea, a tea session under the trees. More people should learn about the benefits of spending time with trees. Deep down, we must all feel a sort of kinship with trees.

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Nathan Slake's avatar

Yes, great idea! We actually concluded the walk with a selection of tea, there under a large tree.

Yes, the Botanic Gardens are beautiful and large. Within them, you forget you are right in the middle of the city. https://maps.app.goo.gl/onwvANeQ9XV4JwMbA

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Claudia Befu's avatar

This is amazing that you finished the walk with some tea! I love this! We don't have anything close to this botanical garden where I live but there's plenty of nature. This is such a good way to spend a warm day outdoors. My husband started to teach qi gong, maybe we'll organise a combo with everything in Vienna. You're giving me some great ideas, Nathan!

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