This is the story of a small family in South Africa who, like many, have been marginalised, yet have survived for over 50 years chopping wood for themselves, their community, and local barbecue enthusiasts. The tree lines that border old farms, now owned by European billionaires like Richard Branson, sit on public lands. According to the law one can not chop down any trees on public lands, but.. when the tree is invasive, such as the Australian Eucalyptus Tree, which has been responsible for immense damage of habitat, then there is green, among the political grey. Chopping Eucalyptus trees is encouraged. Wealthy farms insist that the proximity is a major security risk, as the impoverished sneak along public easements to chop down the trees that fall under the “Grey area.” 24 hour private security and armed guards patrol public lands that border wealthy farms harassing and sometimes attacking the wood cutters.
