Three century-old cottonwood trees were cut down July 27 at the U.S.-Mexico border near Lochiel, Arizona, to make room for the construction of President Donald Trump’s border wall, local environmental activists reported. The trees, estimated to be more than 100 years old, had long provided habitat for rare wildlife species and served as a gathering spot for local residents.
Erick Meza, the Sierra Club’s border program coordinator in Arizona, said the three massive cottonwoods connected ecosystems across the border, with branches extending into both the United States and Mexico. Meza emphasized that the trees were felled despite objections from local communities and environmentalists, without the presence of environmental monitors, and despite nesting activity by legally protected bird species.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees border security operations, did not provide an immediate response to requests for comment. However, in a letter to Meza dated June and shared with reporters, a U.S. Border Patrol official explained the removal decision by citing the trees’ location within the Roosevelt Reservation, a federally controlled 60-foot-wide strip of land along the border established in the early 1900s to aid anti-smuggling efforts. The official stated the trees could not be relocated and must be removed to facilitate the border barrier's construction.
The destruction of these cottonwoods has reignited tensions among border communities and environmental groups opposing the administration’s efforts to extend the border fence through ecologically sensitive and remote areas. Such opposition has grown nationwide, with protests also occurring in border regions of states including Texas. In connection with protests over the cottonwood removal, at least one individual was arrested on trespassing charges, according to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office.
The cottonwoods, known to reach heights of up to 100 feet and spread nearly 50 feet wide, are part of a unique habitat hosting endangered species such as jaguars and rare birds. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service identifies this area as one of the only jaguar ranges within the United States, underscoring the environmental significance of the region.
Local residents also expressed deep concern over the loss of the trees. Laurie Butler, a resident of Lochiel, described the cottonwoods as central to the valley’s identity and social fabric, lamenting the removal as a blow to the community.
The Sierra Club, a longstanding conservation organization founded by naturalist John Muir, has been vocal in its opposition to the border wall project, which it views as a threat to the region’s ecosystems and heritage. The group has a history of environmental activism, previously engaging in campaigns to protect landmarks such as the Grand Canyon and opposing infrastructure projects like the Keystone XL Pipeline.
As construction continues along the border, questions persist about the balance between national security objectives and the protection of fragile natural habitats. The removal of the Lochiel cottonwoods represents a poignant instance in this ongoing debate.