On Killing a Tree - Substance

Q: Write the substance of the poem ‘On Killing a Tree’.

A:       Gieve Patel’s ‘On Killing a Tree’ can be read at two levels: the first, of the meticulous task of killing a tree; the second, the perversity and tragedy of the action, that man should systematically destroy the environment.

          A sense of irony is established at the very outset of the poem indicating that killing of a tree is not a very simple task. Only knife’s jab is not enough to serve that purpose as the tree has grown slowly getting its nourishment from the earth, absorbing sunlight, air and water for years.

          Hacking, chopping or much pain would not be able to kill the tree as the bleeding bark would heal again and curled green twigs and miniature boughs would expand again to former size if it is unchecked.

          In order to kill a tree, the firm roots have to be entirely pulled out from the earth – cave by roping and tying. The total destruction of the roots will ensure the killing of the tree because nourishment being cut off, the living tree dries up, the cells gradually die and it is dead. Thus the systematic destruction of the tree is accomplished.