In honor of this and all CMTs

A Culturally Modified Tree is an Elder and family member tothose whose ancestors modified it.

This tree had died, and was leaning dangerously over the road. Reluctantly, the Zapata Homeowners Association (ZHA) had this tree cut down.

If possible it is best not to cut down a dying CMT, but to allow it to return to the Earth in its own way.

Letting it “walk on” into the Spirit World with the help of weather and woodland processes is a sign of respect. Thus, what remains of this CMT is bathed in open air, rain, snow, wind.

The ZHA sponsors this educational site, first to acknowledge the tree’s importance and the sorrow of cutting it down, and second to educate about CMTs in general.

As this CMT returns to the Earth, the prayers of the long ago peeling ceremony waft outward all around, and will be part of this place long after the last bit of wood is gone.