As of May 1987, the tactic known as “Tree Spiking”—popularized (but not invented) by Earth First! was already controversial. When Cloverdale L-P millworker George Alexander was nearly killed by a bandsaw that had hit a spike in a sawlog, L-P seized the opportunity to discredit Earth First!, even though this tree-spiking incident was clearly not the work of Earth First! or even Earth First! sympathizers. Alexander was not supportive of being used as a propaganda tool by the corporate timber industry (he would later consent to being interviewed by Judi Bari), but the corporate media propaganda did its damage and undermined the coalition building being carried out by Earth First! in northwestern California as early as 1987. It was this incident that touched off the debate about the tactic, and it was this incident that ultimately led to the renunciation of tree spiking in northwestern California.
- Earth First! Didn’t Do It - By Bruce Anderson, Anderson Valley Advertiser, May 20, 1987.
- Why Were Trees Spiked? - By Otter G’Zell, Country Activist, June 1987; reprinted from the Mendocino Country.
- Kenneth O. Smith and Walter Smith: Gyppo Partners, Pacific Coast Timber Harvesting - Interviewed by Beth Bosk, New Settler Interview, Issue #21, June 1987.
- Tree Spiking - By “Nagasaki Johnson”, Earth First! Journal, Litha (June 21), 1987.
- Earth First! Responds to Timber Industry Propaganda Assault - North Coast EF! Press Release, Country Activist, July 1987.
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Last Updated - July 1, 2026.