When local resident Dave Thompson tried to enjoy a quiet stroll through Maplewood Park last Tuesday, he didn’t expect to end up submitting a helpdesk ticket to the City Council. According to Thompson, a particularly affectionate oak tree unexpectedly wrapped its branches around him—and refused to let go.
“It was just supposed to be a quick walk,” Thompson explained. “Then this tree sort of… leaned in and squeezed me like it wanted a hug or something. I thought it was a joke at first, but the next thing I knew, I was stuck. I tried to gently move away but those branches just held on tighter.”
After several minutes of awkward struggle, Thompson decided to get help the modern way: he logged onto the City Council’s online helpdesk and submitted an official ticket. The subject line read: “Tree Refuses to Stop Hugging Me for Climate Support.” His detailed description included a plea for intervention, requesting “a team with chainsaws or maybe a therapist for trees.”
The ticket quickly garnered attention, racking up dozens of amused comments and a community suggestion to nominate the tree for ‘Most Enthusiastic Environmentalist of the Year.’ A City Arborist responded, assuring Thompson that the “hug incident” was a known but rare case of “extroverted flora.” She explained that the tree likely sensed his eco-friendly aura and wanted to express solidarity.
Authorities reportedly dispatched a squad equipped with gentle pruning tools and motivational posters for a peaceful extraction. Thompson was finally freed after what he described as “the most bizarre rescue ever,” and the tree was given a polite warning about personal boundaries.
The helpdesk ticket has since been marked as resolved, but Thompson remains cautious. “Now I just carry a notebook. You never know when a tree might want to start a conversation—or a cuddle,” he said.
Local experts say this marks a new frontier in climate activism: when nature hugs back. Meanwhile, Maplewood Park visitors are advised to carry gloves… just in case.