What is Tree Sitting?

Tree sitting is exactly what it sounds like; it is a form of protest which involves sitting in a tree. Until the demands of the tree sitter are met or the tree sitter is forcibly extracted, he or she will be supported by an extensive ground crew. In the United States, the environmental movement has been using tree sitting as a form of direct action since the 1980s, mostly in Oregon and California. Several noted tree sitters have managed to hold their lofty positions for several years.

The exact origins of tree sitting are unclear, although it was used quite effectively in New Zealand in the 1970s. In the United States, a man named Mikal Jakubal started tree sitting in the 1980s, and Earth First!, a radical environmental group, picked up the practice. One of the most famous North American tree sits was in Humboldt County, California, in the 1990s, when Julia Butterfly Hill sat in a redwood called Luna for two years.

There are several reasons to organize a tree sit. Obviously, a human occupant makes it difficult for a logger to cut down a tree, so many environmental groups use the tactic to prevent or stall logging. While tree sitters occupy trees, the logging company is morally obligated to cut off logging operations in the area, since people could be injured or killed. This gives activists time to file injunctions and to raise public awareness of the cause.

Tree sitting may also be symbolic, as was the case with a group of Berkeley activists who started tree sitting near the University of California, Berkeley, in 2006. The activists were opposed to expansion of the school's athletic facilities, so they occupied trees which were slated for destruction to make their views known. In addition to stalling construction, the activists also drew major attention to the issue, much to the dismay of the University.

Technically, tree sitting is illegal, since it involves trespassing. Many logging companies forcibly eject tree sitters with the assistance of tree climbers and law enforcement. Lawsuits for trespassing or illegal camping may be filed against the tree sitters and their support crews, with a heavy focus on support crews since tree sitters cannot survive without help from the ground.

The effectiveness of tree sitting is debatable. It certainly draws attention to environmental causes, which can be valuable. In some cases, it has also resulted in a successful appeal of a timber harvest plan. In other instances, however, logging companies have managed to remove tree sitters and continue with their work, a source of great frustration to activists. Many tree sitters also become deeply attached to “their” trees, and an unsuccessful tree sitting mission can be very emotional as a result.

Tree sitting is a form of environmental activism where individuals perch in trees to prevent them from being cut down. Activists often use this method to draw attention to issues such as deforestation and habitat destruction. It's a direct-action approach that can delay logging operations and create time for legal challenges to be mounted or for public opinion to sway in favor of conservation.

The duration of tree-sitting protests can vary widely, from days to years, depending on the objectives and resilience of the activists. For instance, Julia Butterfly Hill famously lived in a California Redwood for 738 days to prevent it from being felled. The length of the protest often depends on the response from logging companies, public support, and legal proceedings.

Tree sitters typically require a platform or hammock for living quarters, ropes and harnesses for safety, weather-appropriate clothing, and supplies like food and water. They may also use solar panels for power, a means to collect rainwater, and a waste disposal system. The gear must be durable and lightweight to be hoisted up into the canopy.

Tree sitting legality varies by location and situation. It often involves trespassing on private land or breaking local ordinances, which can lead to legal consequences for the participants. However, the act of tree sitting itself is a non-violent protest, and some regions may have more lenient attitudes towards it, especially on public lands or in cases where environmental laws are being challenged.

Tree sitting involves significant risks, including falls from high altitudes, adverse weather conditions, isolation, and potential confrontations with law enforcement or loggers. Activists take extensive safety precautions, but the inherent dangers of living at height, coupled with the physical and psychological challenges of prolonged exposure to the elements, make it a risky endeavor.

Tree sitting has seen varying degrees of success. In some cases, it has led to temporary halts in logging, raised public awareness, and even resulted in permanent protection for certain areas. For example, the Luna tree sit by Julia Butterfly Hill resulted in a deal that protected the tree and a buffer zone around it. However, not all tree sits result in such clear-cut victories, and the effectiveness often depends on the broader environmental campaign's strategy and public engagement.