Just a 45 second clip of a backhoe pulling a tree-stump and a system of roots from the ground. The ground surrounding the trunk is hollow– almost like a crater–, exposing the surface roots and circumference of the stump to the operator. By removing the unnecessary dirt, it’s easier for the operator to observe the target, assess progress and to complete the job.
In this particular clip, the operator commands the shovel to break the stump into smaller parts, then remove each part from the ground. Once one piece is cleared and disposed of in the pile of debris, he removes the next part until the stump has disappeared. Because of how meticulous the operator is, there are no bits of the root left over– therefore the tree won’t grow back. The system is gone.
If this stump removal were to serve as a parable, it reminds me of how one removes problematic root systems from a personal life. Whatever negativity is rooted in a life takes time to remove, planning, and more.
It’s a long process, but an important process. Breaking it into smaller systems and chunks to ease removal makes a lot of sense– and so does the removal of the earth that allows the operator to get a sense of what’s being dug out.