On Killing a Tree — Flashcards

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The central idea is that killing a tree is a crime against nature. The poem shows that a tree cannot be destroyed easily because it grows slowly, heals after injury, and can grow again unless its root…

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This line shows that a tree is full of life and strength. It has grown over many years by absorbing sunlight, air, and water. Because of this long growth, it cannot be killed by one quick act of viole…

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It means that a small wound or a single attack is not enough to kill a tree. The tree is strong and has deep life within it, so superficial harm cannot destroy it.

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The phrase creates a strong image of the tree's rough and damaged bark. It shows that the bark looks old, wounded, and unhealthy, yet the tree still remains alive and continues to grow.

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Hacking and chopping do not kill the tree. The bleeding bark heals, and new curled green twigs rise near the ground. If these are not stopped, they can grow back to the tree's former size.

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It shows the tree's power to recover from damage. Even after being hurt, the bark can heal, which proves that the tree is resilient and not easy to destroy.

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The curled green twigs show that life returns even after damage. They are a sign that the tree can grow again from near the ground if the roots are left untouched.

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The only true way is to pull the root out entirely from the anchoring earth. Without the roots, the tree loses its source of strength and can no longer survive.