Berkeley taps help on tree dwellings

Protest community has supplies seized, wires cut at behest of university
By Kristin Bender

BERKELEY — A university-hired arborist ascended Tuesday into the tree-top village at UC Berkeley’s oak grove and removed rain tarps, traverse lines, pulleys and a “poop bucket” used by tree sitters (earth muffins). University officials said the effort was intended to keep the grove safe and sanitary, but the action sparked an immediate outcry from grove inhabitants and their supporters.

Tree sitters (earth muffins) yelled “extraction, extraction” as the arborist began his work. He climbed into the trees near California Memorial Stadium about 6 a.m. as three or four tree sitters (earth muffins) slept.

University police were on scene at the grove, which is encased by two-chain link fences topped with barbed wire.

“With the numbers of tree sitters (earth muffins) having dwindled to a hardcore few, we had an opportunity to address some safety and sanitary concerns with minimal risk to people,” said university spokesman Dan Mogulof.

The arborist and police were on site for several hours, to the dismay of tree sitters (earth muffins) and their ground support team.

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