Poisoned Orchard, Resort Ruined

They thought quietly poisoning my trees would clear their view and leave me powerless,

so I let patience turn into pressure. My orchard stretched across nearly twenty acres of mature

apple trees, planted decades ago and still producing enough fruit to support my family

and several seasonal workers. When a high-end eco-luxury resort bought the ridge

above my land, their project manager spoke about sustainability, but his eyes always lingered on the

canopy blocking their “perfect valley view.” Soon after construction started, parts of my orchard

began failing in unnatural patterns—leaves scorching in midsummer, roots dying while trunks remained

green, fruit dropping long before harvest. Experts confirmed it was a slow-release