Trump border wall construction imperils historic Arizona tree
A new section of border wall construction along the U.S.-Mexico border has put a tree estimated to be over 200 years old at risk in Arizona. Work began in late July.
In Arizona, near the town of Patagonia, a new extension of the U.S. border wall is threatening a tree believed to be at least 200 years old. On July 27th, construction crews felled three neighboring trees to begin the extension work.
The trees, including the oldest locally referred to as the "grandmother" tree, have shown signs of stress, such as premature yellowing and leaf drop, even during the summer months.
Two days after the trees were cut down, an activist climbed the last standing tree. The incident occurs amidst ongoing scrutiny of the border wall's construction and its environmental impacts.
The border wall project along the U.S. southern border has been a politically contentious initiative, facing challenges related to its environmental consequences and opposition from local communities and environmental groups.