In 1973, Lynda’s father planted this tree for her birth. He planted one for each of his children as part of his Native Spiritual practice. Lynda is Native American, Cherokee, and was taught by her beloved father that there is spirit in all aspects of the natural world.The tree has spirit, and since it was planted for her it is her Spirit Tree, and connected to her. 

When a road construction crew contracted with the city, RNGD Construction, damaged her tree through inattention to the protections they were meant to observe for all trees during roadworks, Lynda contacted New Orleans Parks and Parkways expecting to receive their help in ensuring that RNGD would be more careful in the future. Instead, the city sent her an email telling her that her tree was now slated for destruction.  

In desperation she began to contact arborists to get a secondary independent assessment and tried to arrange a meeting with the director of Parks and Parkways, Mr. Karam, in an effort to save her tree. A planned phone call with Mr. Karam did not happen. Instead of a meeting with the director she was told that her  tree would be removed the next day.

With no options left, Lynda spent hours gathering supplies and, in the early hours of Friday, October 25, she climbed into her tree, intending to remain there until she could be sure it was protected.

Since that heroic act of desperation in defense of her tree, Lynda has drawn the support of her community and of several independent arborists, who believe that her tree can easily be saved.  The city has been brought to the table, and, on Tuesday, Oct. 29th, she received personal assurances from Joe Threat, Deputy CAO of Infrastructure, that no actions would be taken against her tree for at least two weeks.

Assured of her tree’s immediate safety, Lynda came down from her tree in an act of trust.  But her fight is not over.  No long-term agreement has been reached to assure the safety of her tree. 

With all indications that her tree is no safety risk and can be saved, the city has no compelling reasons to destroy something so immensely spiritually and personally important to her, as a part of her Native American beliefs and a line of connection to her beloved late father. Nor have they reason to deprive her neighborhood of the important source of shade and beauty found in its half-century old canopy.

We stand with Lynda in protecting her tree, and all of its significance, from a wanton and unnecessary destruction.  Please let the city know that you stand with her, too, by signing the petition below.