Do Plants Have Feelings and Opinions?

Espalier and topiary are two words
which came up on
Wordsmith.org this week.

I have always enjoyed this artform, myself, though I've
never trying to achieve either. Plant sculpture! What
could be more wonderful?

USAGE:

"Without formal training -- just passion, energy, and discards from the local nursery -- Pearl Fryar began sculpting his acreage into a dazzling array of abstract topiary art, earning this sharecropper's son the local 'Yard of the Month' award. Nowadays, Pearl's hugely expanded, wildly impressive topiary garden has become a major tourist attraction. Inspired yet? Wait till you see the winning documentary "A Man Named Pearl", which not only makes you want to get out there and play Edward Scissorhands but can, at least for its 78 jazz-and-gospel infused minutes, help replenish one's faith in humanity."
Kevin Thomas; Movie Reviews; Los Angeles Times; Jul 25, 2008.

O.K., so what?, you say. This is the sobering thought I wanted to share:
Hal Borland (1900-1978): "You can't be suspicious of a tree, or accuse a bird or a squirrel of subversion or challenge the ideology of a violet."

Astute linguaphile Mark Germer wrote in response:

"Recent work on information processing (even kin recognition) in plants suggests that there may be more going on there than we now understand; as for birds and mammals, it has long been appreciated that they are perfectly capable of deception and subversion. For my part, I don't find these things odd or disturbing, as it's the continuity of all life that intrigues me most. Humans are not alone in their baseness -- though a few may be alone in their desire to rise above it."

There's more to trees and plants than we think (see nature.com). So next time you pluck an apple from a tree or trim that hedge, be aware that it may not be as oblivious as you think.

Perhaps. it's just as well to leave plant sculpture alone.