A single cottonwood tree remains standing in the path of President Donald Trump’s border wall as it cuts through the remote Arizona town of Lochiel, according to activists who have been camping at the site. The tree, estimated to be between 100 and 200 years old, is the last survivor of a cluster of cottonwoods that previously stood along the planned route. On July 27, Department of Homeland Security contractors removed three other trees from the area.
Lochiel, located two hours south of Tucson, has largely become a ghost town since its border crossing closed in the 1980s. Despite its quiet status, conservationists argue the area is a vital habitat for various species, including antelope, bighorn sheep, and potentially jaguar. Kate Scott, a borderlands conservation activist who has spent the last six weeks camped by the trees, refers to them as "the grandmothers." She told reporters on July 28 that the cottonwoods anchor the local ecosystem and serve as an indicator of water in the region. Scott characterized the destruction of these trees as "ecocide," stating that the government is fully aware of the environmental devastation being caused.
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that at least one person has been arrested in connection with protests against the bulldozing of the trees. Scott views the cottonwood as a symbol of broader disregard for nature, citing other instances such as the wall's path through Big Bend in Texas and the destruction of a 1,000-year-old Native American archaeological site located several hours west of Lochiel.
In a statement provided on July 28, Border Patrol officials maintained that the cottonwoods were located on federal land and required removal to facilitate the planned border wall construction. An agency spokesperson asserted that the removal process included the presence of environmental monitors and was conducted in a manner to ensure that no legally protected birds were disturbed. However, the Sierra Club has disputed this account, claiming that no environmental monitors were present during the removal. The organization further alleged that a legally protected Cassin’s kingbird was actively nesting in one of the trees at the time.
Sandy Bahr, director of the Sierra Club’s Grand Canyon Chapter, warned that the wall poses a severe threat to the biodiversity of the American Southwest. She explained that wildlife does not recognize the border and relies on the ability to move back and forth, which the wall now obstructs. Bahr noted that animals trapped between staggered sections of the wall are likely to perish, and she described the concertina wire installed along the barrier as a "death trap" for wildlife. Activists on the ground have reported witnessing animals bleeding to death after becoming caught in the razor-sharp wire.
Scott and other activists intend to continue their vigil by the remaining cottonwood tree for as long as possible. She expressed hope that the Department of Homeland Security might choose to adjust the wall's route to avoid destroying trees that are nearly as old as the nation. Ultimately, she hopes that those responsible for border security will consider the importance of coexistence, suggesting that humans could learn from the ancient trees that, until July 27, leaned on cottonwoods on the Mexican side for support.
Opponents of the wall say the structure will eventually threaten some of the rare species that make the American Southwest so special, including jaguar and wolves.
"Us as humans could take a little chapter out of their book about coexisting," Scott said. "Why are we making it so hard for one another instead of saying, 'Hey let’s work together.'"
