Do you think in today's world, planners would route a freeway around a tree? How would you describe the role the hawthorn tree plays throughout the story?

Sarah’s trip is in part inspired by the newspaper article about a freeway being routed around a hawthorn tree. She wonders, “Could this be possible, in this day and age?” Do you think such a thing is possible in today’s world? How would you describe the role the hawthorn tree plays throughout the story?

Yes, there are enough tree lovers especially in Celtic areas of the world to protest tree removal.

I do think that roads have been moved to spare trees, buildings and monuments. People are very vocal when they see things they love being destroyed so I think that action was very believable.

I hope that today we are more environmentally knowledgable and therefore would route a road around a historic tree.

I agree that since the awareness of climate change and the benefit of having more trees , that trees will be saved and construction rerouted.

The Hawthorne tree was central to Sarah's predicament in life at the time. She would have fought to protect that tree just because what it stands for-the uinthinkable. Remember this is a fantasy, what we would do is irrelevant.

We halt construction to save endangered species, so yes.

Yes, Iagree.

Yes, I'm quite certain that planners today would leave the tree and build around it.

The hawthorn tree is an integral part of the story for a few reasons. Anna would sit there as a place of comfort and respite. The diary was found in the tree. The tree was home to the fairies, and it was part of the ancient folklore stories.

I'm not sure I can agree. I feel more cynical about our ability to care about things that are in the way of "progress". I'd like to think that developers. construction companies would care, but I don't think they care about trees enough to reconsider without a lawsuit

I think there is always a way around something historical. When my elementary school burned down and the new construction was underway, the community fought to keep the old entrance as a memorial/tribute and build the new school behind it. If the community fights hard enough, contractors will find a way to keep the memories intact while making progress.

I seriously doubt that a tree would stand in the way of "progress" in today's world. That's something that only happens in fiction these days,

In my state, there is not much protection for the environment or preserving history, so I doubt that a tree would be saved. The hawthorn tree plays an important role in the story. It has been part of the area’s folklore for years and years. It is believed by some to have roots and paths that are where the fairies live.

I don’t think a tree would be saved by builders of a freeway today. The Hawthorne tree was a home to Anna, her diary as well as the fairies. It was an integral part of the village history.

I think it would have to be a VERY special tree, with lots of vocal people that support its continued existence.

I agree with sweeney. Perhaps in non US countries.

planner will reroute or not widen a road if there is special, historic tree. Otherwise, trees are removed for new developments.

The hawthorn trees removal (belonging to fairies) and the fairies revenge is central to the story.

Road planners do take special places into consideration, especially graveyards. In general, I remember an interstate highway in Indiana where protesters held out for years to save a whole wooded area, but the protesters were eventually unsuccessful in their bid to save the small forest.

I fear that the tree would not stand in my community where developers wield disproportionate political power. There is little reverence for historical, esthetical, and environmental precedent, especially if it adversely affects the developer's greedy pursuit of money.

In Ireland, yes. In America, no.

BJHB--I remember in my teen years a road in Queensbury, NY was widened and a huge intersection was built. I was aghast that a huge swath of a large cemetery was disinterred for the construction. I could not believe it was allowed. I have no idea how many bodies were unearthed or where they were reburied. So, save a tree? Not in Queensbury anyway. I suppose in the new activist approach to everything these days that it would be possible for a tree to be saved if enough noise was made about it. But there isn't a great deal of belief in folklore in the States, except among the Indigenous people and they have forced the salvation of many sites and items in areas of this country. Places and things that are significant to their traditions. This may also be the case in other countries where folklore is still prevalent.

The tree in Anna's world was pivotal to the story. A fantasy. I wish I thought a tree would be saved for construction or roadways, but in the world today I just don't. Sad.

Perhaps I'm too cynical, but I don't think that a tree would stand a chance in our society today.

In Ireland they still route roads around special trees. In the US, I think they’ll just plough it over unless there is a successful protest by locals or environmentalists.

I'm of the opinion that.... no, progress would not be stopped because of a tree or an endangered species. I love stories or even the belief that "things" can be saved but my faith in this is much diminished - I live close to old growth forests and snowy owls but logging takes precedence - and look at the rain forests and all the destruction of ancient relics in war zones... just to destroy someone's cultural things. Very much negative about this.

I think it is possible. There are still people in this world that would fight for what they believe in, including a tree. The hawthorn tree "caused" bad things to happen in the past, but it seems that it was a good omen for Sarah and Oran.

Skirting around a tree to build a road would depend on the population. Left along the construction company would fell a tree in a minute. But deterred by an overwhelming population that wants the tree to remain will sway plans quickly.

No tree - no fairies. The Hawthorn tree was integral to this story.