Last protester descends from treetop perch

Houston Chronicle ^ | 07/22/2003 | Jeffrey Gilbert

[wysiwyg]

Leaving behind canned food, rope, fireworks and a mixed environmental message, the last Memorial Park tree sitter has quietly slipped away from his perch.

A city of Houston park ranger discovered Monday morning that the man, who identified himself only as "Trust," had vacated his platform in the top branches of a 110-foot pine tree.

Ranger Joe Cochran said he was making a routine check when he realized that Trust, the last of several protesters who had taken to the trees to make a point, was gone.

Trust had been perched in the pine since July 5 in an effort to promote protection of California's ancient redwoods. Other tree sitters joined him but left before Hurricane Claudette hit the Houston area last week.

A Houston police spokesman said a warrant accusing Trust of trespassing has been issued.

The protesters, from Humboldt County, Calif., brought their demonstration to Houston because it is the home of Maxxam Inc., which owns Pacific Lumber.

[wysiwyg]

Other tree sitters joined him but left before Hurricane Claudette hit the Houston area last week.

Wimps. I was almost wishing for Claudette to make a direct hit here just to blow those fools away. Anyway, I bet with the heat, humidity and mosquitos they won't be back any time soon!

[He Rides A White Horse]

Sounds like Ferret.

[Fester Chugabrew]

Fireworks?!

[PBRSTREETGANG]

Leaving behind canned food, rope, fireworks and a mixed environmental message, the last Memorial Park tree sitter has quietly slipped away from his perch.

So, ultimately, he sat in a tree for two and half weeks polluted the local environment and left. Apparently, you can't even trust someone named Trust.

[AAABEST]

....the last Memorial Park tree sitter has quietly slipped away from his perch.

I like it better when they noisily fall out, hitting every branch on the way down.

[camle]

so somebody else has to pick upp his grabage. typical

[Sacajaweau]

Left behind fireworks??? You mean, like fireworks that were capable of starting a fire??

[wysiwyg]

Fireworks?!

Yeah, I wondered about that, too. Fireworks are, of course, illegal in the city, and not what I'd want to bring into the middle of a pine forest.

[New Horizon]

Leaving behind canned food, rope, fireworks and a mixed environmental message..."

They should fine his ass for littering.

[wysiwyg]

Guess what we have here is a violation of Trust!

Yes, Trust does need to be violated! LOL

[SpinyNorman]

They should have given a bunch of kids wrist-rockets and bags of marbles. They wouldn't be up there for long.

[wysiwyg]

Nah, not enough range. I initially suggested BB guns.

[anymouse]

Ok Texas tree surgeons, you can put away your chainsaws and axes, the pests have been eradicated. :)

[Xenalyte]

I am deeply saddened. How the hell did he get away without us noticing?

[jalisco555]

Trust had been perched in the pine since July 5 in an effort to promote protection of California's ancient redwoods

How does sitting in a tree in Houston protect trees in California, anyway?