Tree-sit

Ancient trees in the Willamette National Forest and other locations near Eugene, Oregon, USA were occupied by tree-sitters intermittently over the past 30 years. The decline in the timber industry, in part due to activism but probably mostly regulation, had a dramatic impact on economies across the Northwest of the US. In 2001, activists traveled to the Winberry and Fall Creek groves and areas of the Coast Range in order to prevent timber harvests in the late-90's through early 2000's. Like many tree-sits in the US dating back to the 1980's, individuals accepted legal and personal risk to physically block the cutting of trees. Difficult conditions and discomfort characterized tree-sitting in Winberry, which involved self-sustained encampments high in the trees. In 2001, when photographed, the Winberry sit was a tranquil location where deep discussions and introspection were more common than confrontations with authorities. The grove was ultimately spared from harvest.