In "The historical roots of our ecologic crisis" Lynn White contributes. "In antiquity every tree, every spring, every stream, every hill had its own genius loci, its guardian spirit. These spirits were accessible to men, but were very unlike men; centaurs, fauns, and mermaids show their ambivalence. Before one cut a tree, mined a mountain, or dammed a brook, it was important to placate the spirit in charge of that particular situation, and to keep it placated. By destroying pagan animism, Christianity made it possible to exploit nature in a mood of indifference to the feelings of natural objects."

I have felt this personally. Ten years ago when we had a landscaping firm landscape our home. They took out a beautiful hawthorn tree. Read More...