Hmmmm….

GM documented how a beautiful catalpa tree right by the canal needed to be cut down to restore the lock. It was, according to NPS, an essential loss for the project to go forward. GM was somewhat skeptical, but ultimately willing to believe the decision was correct.

Well jump ahead a bit and work has significantly progressed on the canal. But as far as GM can tell, the earth that previously held the tree’s roots so far looks basically untouched. Did the tree really have to be cut down, or was it just more convenient to do so?

Either way, it’s too late. Most of us will be old or dead before this scene will be seen again: