Tree/Human Knot/Tumor

The human grows a tumor due to stress such as injury, disease, or a fluke in genetics. In Parallel the tree also grows a knot due to stress such as injury, disease, or a fluke in genetics.

The fallen ash I harvested from, like other spirited beings, had grown a tumor-like lump in response to stress on its bark-vesseled-self. Emerald ash borers, an invasive species introduced to the land by human exportation, are responsible for killing the particular ash tree. This species was only introduced to North America a couple decades ago, yet ash trees are now in danger of becoming extinct. In harming the environment the human harms themself causing ripples of damage through the echo system. When the U.S. Forest Service looked at mortality rates in counties affected by the emerald ash borer, they found it had increased. Specifically, more people were dying of cardiovascular and lower respiratory tract illness -- the first and third most common causes of death in the U.S.

We are the same. In harming the environment the human harms themself, as both humans and trees are a part of the land.