William H. Smith May 1, 1998

1204 Christmas Tree Ln. about 700 words

Pearce, AZ. 85625

303-36-7671

520-826-1029

Mutilation in Black tail Canyon

By

William H. Smith

This story is the plight of an Alligator Juniper tree located in the Dragoon Mountains, in Black Tail Canyon. This Juniper tree is a credit to its species. It was mutilated by inconsiderate, irresponsible hunters/campers. This is the story of that Juniper as the traumatic events were related to me.

Mister Juniper please tell to me your side of this story? “Here I stand a large Alligator Juniper, I have about twelve inches of girth, and stand about 20 feet tall. Over the years I have served animal and mankind. Offering protection from the sun and rain, with my shade and umbrella of branches".

"Over the years I've given comfort to many creatures that have passed by my way. Including a multitude of campers and hunters who have enjoyed my offerings, none of these gave thought to cause me injury".

Tell me what you think of yourself? "Over the years I have stood here and grown into an adult tree. As I look around I realize that I'm a credit to my species and the most comely and largest tree in the area. It’s plain to perceive that God has made me a Prince among all other Alligator Junipers".

Please describe the events leading to your mutilation. "It was in the fall, during the hunting season for Black Tail deer. A couple of hunters selected me to camp under, I was very delighted, soon I was to discover how destructive, hateful, inconsiderate, and irresponsible some humans can be. After setting up their camp, their first action was to chop off green limbs of a young mesquite tree living under my boughs. These stupid humans sat around a very smoky campfire that night trying to burn green wood. The next morning they rebuilt the fire, and had breakfast. After breakfast, (and during their stay) they used the land behind me for a bathroom, not one but two places, never did they bury their unsanitary mess. They also left their toilet paper to flit about in the wind. They then went hunting, leaving their fire hot".

What happened next? "That morning two forest rangers came by checking campsites for forestry violations, they extinguished the hunter's fire that was left hot. They wrote warnings for, a hot unattended fire, a littered campsite, cutting green wood, and leaving an unsanitary situation, (not one but two bathrooms) with toilet paper dotting the land. It was enough to make you sick, and these nice caring rangers cleaned it up. Bless them. Its unthinkable to consider that irresponsible, sick uncaring people are allowed the same rights as those that care and follow the rules".

What happened when the hunters returned? "After reading the Ranger's warnings they became very irate and made sinister remarks. As they made preparations to leave (their choice not the ranger's) the next morning, I thought good-riddance, they were leaving another hot fire, more trash, and more toilet paper adorning the land.

Before they left I noticed a hatchet in one of the hunter's hand, and he was coming

toward me. I can still remember my terror. Why!!! do they still have that hatchet out? Oh no! Please don’t, my only role was to offer my shade and hospitality. My utterances fell on deaf ears, as these unbalanced hunters were crazed by the ranger's warnings, and sought revenge and destruction, so they took their vengeance out on me. They hacked about my trunk cutting out huge chunks of bark. The pain was insufferable and my weeping went unnoticed, but the agony of not being appreciated for my shade and devotion was unbearable.

The scars they left on me are appalling, and embarrassing. I'll live to offer my shade to

weary travelers and campers. I'm not sure anyone will want to see me, since I'm now ugly"?

“Not to worry Alligator Juniper” I said, people understand how rotten some of our

species are. As the years march on, humans will show less and less respect for each other, as they do for the things around them. The only way relief will come, is when God takes a hand.

-- 00 --