"On killing a Tree" Notes for Higher Secondary Students

"On Killing a Tree"

Gieve Patel

1. Describe the growth of the tree in the 1st stanza of “On Killing a Tree”.

Ans: A fully grown up tree is not due to the process of overnight development. The poet, very carefully and minutely describes the development of a grown up tree.

The opening line of the poem ‘It takes much time to kill a tree’ suggests that to kill a tree is not an easy task. According to the poet, the tree is too strong to be killed in one go of a knife. The logical explanation is that the tree has grown slowly by consuming the earth for a long time. It has been feeding upon the earth’s upper layer. It has been absorbing the major elements from earth. Mother Nature supports to its development. It is nourished by Mother Nature herself.

2. “It has grown / slowly consuming the earth.” – What is the significance of the line?

Ans: The above quoted line has been taken from the poem ‘On Killing a Tree’ by Gieve Patel.

By this line the poet means to say that the tree has gained its huge full form after “consuming the earth” for a long time. It draws its life force from the earth. The poet, here, uses it very carefully. It is a general notion that when something is being consumed, it should either be died out or be turned weak.  In a satirical view the poet indicates the heartless process of deforestation. Though the tree has become full grown by consuming the earth, it is does not destroy the earth. Rather, it saves earth. It checks soil erosion.

3. Title of the poem.

Ans: The excellent poem, “On Killing a Tree” deals with a very common subject and it contains a sense of irony. It points out the tragic death of a tree. The poem shows the love for Nature. But nature is degraded by man. According to the poet, killing a tree is not an easy task. Even ‘hack and chop fails to kill it. It has taken its full form for years. The main power of a tree is in the hidden roots. Roots give a tree the solid support. To kill a tree, it is to be roped and pulled out completely. Then the matter of seasoning it comes. Actually, the title expresses the tragedy associated in killing a tree. As the title finely highlights the main theme of the poem, it is apt.

4. “Out of its leprous hide/Sprouting leaves.”- What is the significance?

Ans: The extracted lines are from “On Killing a Tree” by Gieve Patel.

The bark of a tree is rough, patchy and has marks, shades of different colours just like a patient of leprosy. His skin is also rough, patchy and has marks. In order to indicate the roughness of the bark, the poet makes a comparison with a leprosy patient. Here ‘hide’ means bark. Moreover the poet, here, wants to present the tree as an evil, demonic creature that should be killed.

5. How does the tree heal itself?

Ans: According to the poet, the tree has a specific resistance power with the help of which it can easily heal itself. It is nurtured by Nature herself. So, when someone tries to kill a tree by ‘hacking and chopping ‘, he goes in vain. The bark of a tree emits a sap which helps the tree sprout its branches and twigs. If it is not trimmed again, it grows into a big tree and gets back its former size and glory. This process will take a long time to recover itself. Just as a human being recovers from illness, the tree also can recoup the attacks of an axe.