We can indeed all respect the story of this grand old tree without holding a teary candlelight vigil. Mocking the misplaced emotions of tree-hugging hippies is one of FR's core directives - it's probably written in our vision statement.
Our realistic attitude towards trees doesn't make us Saruman: we are stewards of the earth, not its chief mourners.
Actually, agere_contra, I did burn down Fern Gully and the Smurf village. You see, I was so despondent over the death of that tree... I figured other things should die, too. Now I am to Gnome village... never liked them to begin with. /s
