Class 9 Beehive Poem Chapter 7 Question Answers - On Killing a Tree

Q1: How does a tree grow up?

Ans: A tree takes many years to grow fully. It starts as a small seed, gradually pushing up from the ground. Its roots draw nutrients from deep in the soil. Sunlight, air, and water help it grow. From its bark, small green branches and leaves start to form. Over a long period, the tree becomes strong enough to withstand cuts. 

Even chopping it won't kill it because the wounds heal, and new branches grow from the stump, eventually reaching their original size. As long as the roots stay healthy underground, the tree continues to grow.

Q2: What relationship does the tree have with the earth?

Ans: A tree has a deep relationship with the earth. It owes its very existence to the earth. The seed germinates in the womb of the earth and the baby plant sprouts out over the surface of the earth. The tree draws nutrients for it from the soil. It is the earth that gives it support to stand erect and protects it from falling. 

Giving a firm grip to its roots, the earth gives it ground to grow and assume a massive size. The earth keeps the roots of the tree concealed, protecting it from exposure to sunlight and air which can prove to be very injurious for its existence. Thus, the earth helps a tree right from its birth to its survival. Even a chopped tree grows again out of the stump and gains the original, big size because the earth supports it.

Q3: What does the root of the tree look like when it is pulled out of the earth-cave? What happens to it when it is left exposed?

Ans: The root of the tree is moist anti-white when it is pulled out of its hiding, the earth-cave. It is very tender and delicate as it has remained concealed for years together, away from sunlight and air. The root cannot tolerate the light and heat of the sun and the open air. 

When it is left exposed, it feels scorched and choked in the sun and the air. Initially, it starts changing its colour and becomes somewhat brown. Then it starts losing its tenderness. It becomes hard and its suppleness declines. Gradually, it withers away and becomes gnarled and twisted. 

Ultimately, life is completely drained out of roots and it leads to the death of the whole tree. This is how exposure robs first the root and then the entire tree of its life.

Q4: What would happen if the tree is hacked and chopped?

Ans: If the tree is hacked and chopped and left as such with the root of the tree neither dugout nor injured, the root will continue to provide nourishment to the stump of the tree. This stump will then be covered with tender twigs that will sprout out of its surface. If these twigs are not pruned or hacked or chopped, they will keep on growing and eventually, with the passage of time, the tree will grow to its original size. 

The wounded bark of the tree will get healed and the tree will be as big as it was earlier. The threat to its life will be overcome and hacking or chopping will fail to kill the tree. The safe root will rescue and resuscitate the tree and help it to regain its lost glory.

Q5: Suppose you are a tree. Write a diary entry in about 150 words describing how you were hacked and chopped and your root was pulled out and how you are inching towards your end.

Ans: 

(Time)
(Day and Date)
Dear Diary Today my heart is crying and I suffer due to the pain inflicted upon me by cruel men. Two days ago, I was enjoying the fresh air and warm sunlight when suddenly I felt a blow of an axe on my trunk. I noticed that a man was hitting me hard, giving one blow after another. My bark was wounded, the sap was oozing and my leaves and branches were falling off lifelessly. I could feel a sharp pain that I found hard to tolerate. When the man got tired, he left me for the night. I was relieved that he had not harmed my root. I was certain that my wound would heal and new branches would grow after some time.

 But the next day there came five people. The first chopped off big chunks from my trunk and then tied a rope firmly around me. They applied force to pull my root out of the earth. Now my strength gave way and my white, wet and sensitive root was hauled. My root has been left exposed to the sunlight and air. Its white colour is turning brown and it has started hardening and twisting. Slowly, it will wither away and I will die. I wish these ignorant people had realized that I was serving them selflessly with fresh oxygen and dense shade. Sadly, I have to say goodbye to this beautiful world because of the insensitivity of some people. 

Banyan

Q6: Trees are our lifeline. So they must not be killed. Write your suggestions on how trees can be protected.

Ans: Below are the suggestions on how trees can be protected:

• Educate people about the importance of trees in our ecosystem and their role in maintaining a healthy environment.
• Implement strict rules and regulations against illegal logging and deforestation.
• Declare forests as protected areas and restrict any human activity that might harm the trees.
• Encourage and support afforestation and reforestation initiatives by providing incentives and resources.
• Promote the use of sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives to wood and paper products.
• Create and support community-based organizations and associations that focus on tree conservation and protection.
• Conduct regular tree-planting drives and campaigns, involving local communities and schools.
• Develop urban green spaces, such as parks and gardens, to increase the overall green cover in cities.
• Encourage the use of agroforestry practices, which integrate trees into agricultural systems, benefiting both the environment and the farmers.
• Foster a love and appreciation for trees by celebrating events like World Environment Day and Arbor Day, and involve people in various tree-related activities.

Q7: Write why people cut trees. Are there other alternatives to trees for them?

Ans: People have several requirements which can be fulfilled by trees. They get wood for fire and furniture from trees. They get various kinds of medicine and fruits. The tribal people are completely dependent on trees, but they never cut them. But the common people cut trees as they have no alternatives. But they should not cut down trees and spoil the beauty of nature. Moreover, they should discover other sources to fulfill their needs. 

They should be encouraged to use steel sheets in their doors and windows. The tribal people should be given every support to decrease their dependence on trees. They should be made responsible to protect trees in their areas and plant more trees. Besides, people should be made aware of the environmental problems which are created after cutting down trees. We have to protect trees at any cost.

Q8: Describe the growth of a tree in detail with reference to the poem.

Ans: The poet, Gieve Patel describes how a tree grows in the first stanza of his poem “On Killing a Tree”. According to him, the tree grows slowly consuming the earth firmly. It absorbs sunlight, air and water from nature for years to make food with these nutrients. 

But a tree heals its wounds by hacking and chopping to rise miniature boughs into full size itself again. Thus, a tree grows slowly by absorbing years of sunlight, air and water.