Explained: The Tree That Owns Itself

The weird case of a tree that might own itself. Or maybe not. It's complicated.
This video was supposed to be uploaded a week ago but I had internet troubles, next video will be the 1000 subscriber Q&A (go and ask me questions).

[@Johan-st4rv]

Here you go Zepherus i.imgur.com/vhl1wCc.jpg

[@Zepherus]

Hah! That's brilliant! Thank you.

[@bernardshodeke33]

WoW

[@MinogFarted]

Oh cool

[@whitegemgames]

It makes me so happy that everyone just went along with this amusing idea, it's the little things in life.

[@mothertoaster5006]

whitegemgames as a kid i looked at the tree and my mom told me that the tree owned its selth to me as a kid i thought id get in truble if i walked on its land its a cool thing tho

[@marikvalentine5176]

Thanks for your comment brightned my day

[@bigidiotdumbstupidguy9329]

Them caring enough to plant an acorn from the original almost made me cry, ngl. But I am super stoned

[@markdombrovan8849]

Do you still hold this view to this day, that it's "the little things in life"?

[@TheDooreater]

That tree owns more land then most of the people bitching about the land it owns.

[@SraTacoMal]

Okay, now I want a county law that outlines the line of inheritance in the case of this tree. Because, like, what if two or more saplings are grown from the current tree? Do they inherit the land equally? Does the oldest sapling get everything? Do the saplings go to court!? WHAT HAPPENS!?

[@509734]

"Foliage laying savage comebacks upon itself" never before in the universe such a sentence have been or ever will again be strung in this precise order

[@PupCake1025]

I love how everyone just decided to go along with it.

[@kreol1q1q]

Wow your channel has a ridiculous quality level for the amount of subscribers you have. Keep up the great work!

[@Zepherus]

Well, thanks!

[@HealthySkepticism1775]

Krešimir Koržinek Agreed. Efficient use of time, dry humor that's actually funny, informative, and entertaining. Subscribed!

[@Zepherus]

David Bristow Glad you like it - I've had other individual commenters argue against each adjective you used, but at least some like it.

[@tennicktenstyl]

quality is very meh.

[@ryanburdette5078]

He deserves more subscribers

[@TheGrinningViking]

I will begin with the punchline and go on to the facts of the matter as I know them: if the son of the tree that owns itself dies and itself has a child inherit then that tree will be grandfathered (both literally and metaphorically) into owning itself. (That's a metaphorical literalism fyi.) Inheritance law is pretty clear, so given that the first tree owned itself the second tree would as well. (Infants can inherit in human cases after all, and early enough that they possess little more cognition than this tree.) The transfer of property is a bit different but land being owned is a matter of record at the local country office, not a matter of correct transfer being on record, with older claims being "grandfathered" in and allowed to stand. I'm thinking the first tree owned itself even if the original transfer was not legally binding. Essentially the tree owned itself because the people recording ownership decided it did at some point and there was no method allowing that decision to be reversed. Fun stuff!

[@ValentineC137]

yesterday you where at like 17K NOW ITS 33K WTAF xD GL mate :D

[@owen_z_schwartz]

Valentine Now 44,781 subs

[@LosloTypical]

Comedy on the Go! Now he's gone up 3000+ geez.

[@MrSpruce]

57,053 wtf he's growing so fast... Legit or sub bot? :P

[@Zepherus]

Legit, I'm being recommended by KZbin algorithms to literally everyone. Can you imagine how much 57k bots would cost? For what profit?

[@MrSpruce]

Zepherus Yeah, your stuff has been high on trending for a little while, especially on my recommended feeds :P

[@mais276]

I really like your videos, just discovered your channel and I'm really enjoying it :)

[@Zepherus]

Well, glad you like it.

[@BartJBols]

I liked it at least 12 hours before @Der Schwabulose

[@mais276]

Bart Bols well can you prove it? :')

[@BartJBols]

Der Schwabulöse Zepherus will believe me, we are meant to be together

[@overhang88]

I too just discovered this channel and really like it so far! keep it up friend, great videos!

[@Johan-st4rv]

Woah I grew up a few streets away from that tree never knew that the tree was that famous cool

[@RAKITHA9]

+PersianinSweden take a selfie only if the tree agrees , if not you might get sued by it for tresspassing :)

[@outdoorinwithzach]

Me as well!

[@jarlamchen8625]

That moment, when you realized a tree had and will have a more successfull life than you :(

[@mushroomboar4299]

Wow

[@newburnz6320]

I've lived in Athens, Ga. for a few years now and I've never heard of this. Thanks for the information, I'll have to go check this out sometime soon.

[@ConnorwithanO]

I love how the very first result for the search "do trees have gender" says that gender is a social construct. That's Google for ya!

[@Vitorruy1]

Liberalist Sperg thats true tho

[@firstnamelastname-oy7es]

One of the top results I saw said that trees exchange goods to other trees in need.

[@Dunmerdog]

AndroidFanboy Nope, not Kauri trees in New Zealand and a lot of similar conifers

[@willga731]

I used to leave right down the street from this tree and it is so cool to see it covered!

[@maddie4801]

Will Ga Me too!

[@southronjr1570]

BTW, if you think that is strage, look up America's stonehenge in nearby Elberton, Ga in Elbert County.

[@Vitorruy1]

Southron Jr america is a weird place

[@fertxpdqicts9664]

Vitorruy1 yeah, both of geography wise and people wise

[@Kyolover8]

Yes the Georgia guidestones are really interesting. And honestly very creepy if you actually read what's written on them.

[@gen157]

"within 8 feet". Feet as in imperial feet or king's feet? If so, just dig up to 8 King's' feet and let the tree fall over.

[@maco2896]

Gen15 wtf is that

[@warmowed]

This sounds like some CK2 shit

[@caelvanir8557]

warmowed Now if only I could marry into the Tree's family to possibly get a claim...

[@warmowed]

Tree desires better alliance :P

[@MrBennyTheOwl]

AVE MA-TREEIA DEUS VULT WE WILL TAKE JE-ROOT-SALUM.

[@zacpilot9740]

I love your videos, whats the song used at about 1:15 ?

[@Alte.Kameraden]

I thought the story was beautiful. I remember another video on youtube showing some Japanese traditional word craftsman who made furniture and houses in the 'Old' way you can say. The man moved to the USA to practice his trade for middle class and upper glass Americans. Well a tree not far from his work shop died. He and his apprentice along with a local tree remover showed up on the spot of the recently deceased tree. The Craftsman refused to allow the tree to be touched until the did a ceremony in respect to what they believed was a 200 year old tree. He said, it was a living creature like anyone else, and deserved a funeral. Tree became a very beautiful natural looking table.

[@Zepherus]

Wow, that's really nice. On a related note, is the Japanese style of carpentry the one without nails? I've seen some diagrams for nail-less joints and wow are they beautiful. I live in a Tudor house with a whole lot of mortice-and-tenon joints or whatever, but those are something else.

[@Alte.Kameraden]

Zepherus It's actually a Chinese technique, the Japanese adopted it centuries ago and added their own style to it, but it functions in the same way. It's why old Chinese/Japanese temples have lasted so long. Beautiful way to construct with wood honestly.

[@Zepherus]

***** Yeah, it is beautiful.

[@Alte.Kameraden]

Zepherus Just realized I type Word instead of "Wood." lol

[@perplacymp]

Sounds like Blichers chair that was carved from a pear tree in the rectory garden around 1830 and confiscated by the carpenter when he failed to pay for it.

[@chody5840]

Did this white male just assume the gender of that tree? #triggered

[@jamesrobinson949]

chody go listen to the podcast TESD. You'll find your a kindred spirit of the the hosts, Bryan Johnson particularly.

[@realrawmcgraw8512]

*twiggered

[@Shrrby]

+Da Steener oh fuck off 😂😂😂

[@WOM6825]

Da Steener I died.

[@CJT3X]

Did you just assume the race of Zepherus?

[@suppengluck5285]

4:25 you have to google "do trees have a sex" ? because it's like not the same thing you know..

[@suppengluck5285]

***** Well no, get a dictionary.

[@suppengluck5285]

***** Im not a fucking amercian. It´s not "our" society

[@MrDarkbladex1]

100,000th viewer!, where is my free 25$ visa gift card?

[@theduchyofmilanball3157]

this is a suprisingly happy story

[@Nick.S]

What are your future actions, and will you start any new series ?

[@StormUndBlackbird]

Who's inspired you to make these kinds of videos?

[@eliteapaladin3122]

If my brain remembers correctly then there are a couple forest and rivers in New Zealand that have citizenship so they cant be exploited by the government or corporations.

[@MagnificentSpeed]

A big Congratulations on 1k subs, you will surely get many times more

[@zk420zk]

23,500 more in 2 months.

[@Slayden135]

I liked your evaluation of Athens, GA lol

[@Zepherus]

Thank you. I've never been.

[@Slayden135]

Zepherus Neither have I, good for both of us.

[@childeater7327]

I bet that tree has oil it’s hiding

[@blacksparks1290]

Oh BTW, I cut down the tree and planted a different tree in the exact same spot

[@t-34mediumtank16]

I think you mean the second best Athens in the best Georgia

[@Zepherus]

No, I don't.

[@DeusExMach]

Oh, buddy, it gets even better. The tree absolutely CAN own itself as well as the property under and around it, provided that the tree is recognized as a legal entity, which, as you point out, has happened by the good citizens of Athens, GA. This makes the tree a de facto Corporation. And as we know in America, Corporations are people. If the tree is a corporation, and corporations are people, the tree is a person, and since people can own property, the tree can own property, of which, trees are recognized as. Since the tree on the plot of land in question is an off-spring of the original tree, it is also a person, guaranteed rights of survivor-ship, as well as being the property of the original. And that is how slavery is still legal in Georgia.

[@LostArchivist]

It is hereby with the power vested in me, that I do declare this tree and its land, the soverign nation of The Crown Arborial Archduchy of Oakencrest and Their Highness Oakenkin as its de facto ruler! So it is as decreed!

[@benji0027]

I only stumbled on this channel when I was stuck inside for a week in December. I'm very glad I did!

[@mappinginthenameoffinn3165]

Wait a second... Is that US land or like a neutral zone? Coz if it's mitral then I'm gonna invade it and make my own country!

[@VoidHalo]

I really hate Canon in D. It's a nice song and all, but it was played at my wedding and since I'm now divorced and terribly bitter about the situation, I just associate the song with those thoughts and feelings. What a shame.

[@Zepherus]

Sorry.

[@VoidHalo]

Better be! It was very inconsiderate of you to put it in your video, given what I've been through. For shame! Heh. Seriously though, don't you hate it when nice things get tainted by bad memories like that?

[@equitime77]

I know what you mean. I used to love it but it became my mother's wedding song and now I have nothing but bad memories and really dislike it

[@VoidHalo]

equitime77 Heh I had Bob Marley and Chrono Trigger completely ruined like that cuz I used them to try to keep myself relaxed and happy at a time when I was seriously ill and literally felt like I was dying. Classical conditioning is a bitch, ain't it?

[@maximtchekan9250]

OMG 1,000 SUBS!!!! YOU DID IT!!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR LOL!!!!

[@maximtchekan9250]

Here's a question for you. What recorder do you use and do you like doing KZbin for a living unless you have more than one job?

[@sayntfuu]

I think 400 years occupancy by 2 beings is pretty impressive.

[@nonyabuisness3640]

“The third best Athens in the second best Georgia in the best United States” I’ve never heard a better explanation

[@RoyDurett]

the tree would have lost the property long ago due to unpaid property taxes. so the city would own the property.

[@danieldoria2072]

When the son of the tree that owns itself dies does that mean the tree that will be grown there be the son of the son of the tree that owns itself and if the son of the son of the tree that owns itself dies does that mean the tree that will be grown there be the son of the son of the son of the tree that owns itself?

[@joshuajwars4271]

Colonel William Henry Jackson Zepherus.

[@user-xv3bk1nw6i]

Maybe the tree identifies as a person, how dare you assume its gender identity !! 🤣

[@hexazalea1793]

actually some trees do have sexes. maples do i think.

[@jauh25]

mate this channel is awesome, you have a subscriber right here, greetings from Venezuela, keep uploading :)

[@Zepherus]

Thanks, I will!

[@LOLCAMz]

Zepherus gives me an idea why don't you explain the situation in Venezuela

[@Zepherus]

maxwellafc DNews did it better than I ever could,

[@LOLCAMz]

Zepherus thank you ill look for that

[@rateeightx]

Why Is Venezuela Called Venezuela When Venezia Is Smaller?

[@holdmybeer]

Wow I found two hidden youtube gems today. Im either on a roll or the youtube algorithms are getting better.

[@Zepherus]

The first one.

[@holdmybeer]

.

[@RenShredder]

haha I really lol'd at the gender is a social construct part xD

[@Myskomannen1]

Are u really using Internet explorer?! :O (3:29)

[@mrreymundo5383]

Now that you are on your way to youtube riches and fame, you can come visit the U.S. and see why all your people moved here!

[@Zepherus]

No thanks.

[@AzayBae]

You wouldn't fit the swag requirements anyway. *runs away and cries in pillow*

[@TheHolioZ]

US is gonna get nuked to shit

[@mrreymundo5383]

No-one can rule out that possibility, but if it were, the loss to the world would be incalculable. Britain, for one, could not hope to exist without the existence of America. That is only one small repercussion possible.

[@mrreymundo5383]

Zepherus Don't get the idea I am dissing you. I really like your videos, and I respect your love for your country. My first comment was made in the spirit of jest.

[@apexwar110]

If there is oil under that tree we are invading.....

[@boglenight1551]

One can not simply assume gender of a tree.

[@joshuabinkley9864]

I just found your videos, and they are some of the best content I have ever seen on this site. Really, really, really, really, well done.

[@Zepherus]

Well, glad you like them.

[@snakeisekans]

these videos are fun

[@Zepherus]

Glad you like it!

[@anthony7194]

What's the best pulled pork recipe?

[@TheAmazingKraken]

pork (large chunks) bbq sauce onions tabasco

[@jamescrawford327]

Pork roast, hot sauce, orange marmalade, onions, brown sugar, salt. slow cooked forever.

[@lifedecoded9842]

fuck your onions, way to ruin the flavor of the pork.

[@OGBeefStew]

I prefer beef stew.

[@firstnamelastname-oy7es]

I saw a dog piss on it, it's the dogs now.

[@firstnamelastname-oy7es]

Take it if you want, it isn't able to sue you or call the police.

[@hereLiesThisTroper]

did you just assumed the tree's gender?!

[@willsmith5579]

why do you only have this many subscribers?

[@Zepherus]

Because that's how many people who have found my channel and want to see more, I guess.

[@Zepherus]

Garrett Laughlin No, sorry.

[@blonded0532]

Well Athens Alabama has got to be the fourth lol

[@radicaledwards3449]

but doesn't all life known itself?

[@RAMlFlCATlONS]

Live about ten minutes from this tree

[@Lilcyclop]

When black people couldn’t own property but this badass tree could...

[@jasonirwin4631]

well it was a white oak tree. i would imagine if some tried this with a tree translated from the German black forest then it would be a instantaneous no

[@rosetints4246]

Probs the richest tree in the world

[@TheShadowwalker007]

Legal Eagle needs to see this and weigh in

[@andrewstotallynormallife4915]

Hey Zepherus do you have a ps4? If so what games do you have because I would like to play with you.

[@Zepherus]

I don't have a console, sorry.

[@wolfz___alpha1747]

Nice challenger mte-800

[@RosGameplays]

Q and A Do you like the patriot? Q and A Do you like Brave heart Q and A Do you hate me now?

[@RosGameplays]

And did you name your channel of a e cig

[@tedw1832]

I live on the same street as that tree

[@MarshalTennerWinter]

Humans are an asinine species.

[@Kyleology]

Trees do have sexes.

[@HungryGuyStories]

Q: "How can I be certain there are no elephants hiding inside my hot water heater?"

[@Zepherus]

You can never be sure for certain. It's not a falsifiable thing, since there's always a really, really unlikely possibility that it's true (i.e: Elephants being miscroscopic, invisible, immortal, whatever). Therefore you cannot.

[@griffingaming3928]

GROOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@MagnificentSpeed]

Q. Do you enjoy gaming? Q. How old are you? Q. What part of the UK do you live in? Q. Have you ever been to Dublin, (or Ireland in general)? Q. Have i asked too many questions?

[@LordOceanus]

I'm sorry but the real 1st best Athens is Athens OH! GO BOBCATS

[@iranoveroprah1402]

LORDOceanus GO BOBCATS

[@michaelburgarino]

LORDOceanus GO BOBCATS

[@lazognalazogna7083]

bobcats suck

[@TheNinetySecond]

LORDOceanus G O B O B C A T S

[@Kyolover8]

I hate to be that person but.... go bulldogs >.> Athens GA resident here >.

[@jimmywayne983]

Chuck Testa :O

[@invaderguy78]

So your saying that someone who can't talk or move, like a coma, is like a tree, not being able to own itself? Jesus, what is with humans now. First environmental demolsihmeny, now THIS? I'm pretty sure trees are alive, and take csre of themselves, meaning it belongs to itself. I'm now treehugger.

[@sameaseverybodyelse]

1k subscribers. That's so funny. I've been watching sooooo much KZbin the last 5 years and this is only the first day that I find you. Amazing. Great stories, love your humor and point of view. 1k subs 😂

[@coolpiehead1234]

I've seen the the tremendous growth of many channels on KZbin and you're definitely going to be among them Zeph. Keep up the great work!

[@Zepherus]

Well, thanks!

[@draco18s]

There are some interesting NIM variants. I just went through to find the pattern for winning if you can take "1, 3, or 4 flags" which had an interesting pattern to it: 2, 7, 9, 14, 16, 21 are all losing positions (+2, +5, repeat).

[@neurofiedyamato8763]

That is really funny and sweet at the same time. Even if the story is fake, its kind of nice. trees are hermaphrodites. It will be really cool, if after this tree died, the child will inherit the land. Then you just keep having a generation of trees. Also great choice with Canon in D. One of my favorite pieces of all time.

[@Scy]

Couldn't you just impose a land tax on properties in that county which are taller than they are wide, including all plants, terrain or man-made structures on it, and then confiscate it upon the non-payment of said tax. I am a genius. Chop the fucker down.

[@fuge74]

on de jure vs de facto law in the state of Georgia. both are used, if the people say yes it is de facto and law even if not written and becomes common law just like English common law, but can be superseded by an amendment(new law) (de jure) or precedence in court which will set a new common law (de facto). so both. also FYI every state, except Louisiana, follows English common law, Louisiana uses Napoleonic code.

[@williamdevane944]

Great channel! Any chance you could answer who are the most technologically advanced group of people to ever live who have been completely lost to history and how far did they advance? Also, If we're really in The Matrix, then wouldn't allowing the simulation to advance far enough to allow us dreamers to become self-aware of The Matrix put the the computer overlord in danger of facing a mass-awakening thereby ultimately implying no Matrix?

[@seaneredia5199]

Im binging your explained vids right now, Im WATCHING it on a dark room, and everytime you do the fade to black transition, i go blind :(

[@GranRey-0]

In British Columbia we *used* to have a law that protected Dogwoods, Rhododendrons/Azaleas and Trilliums, so you'd have to relocate them if you wanted to remove it. Now however in Vancouver it's _unlawful_ to cut down a healthy tree without a permit, and a property owner can only cut down one healthy tree per yer. They must also plant a replacement tree dependent on the size of their lot. But cutting one down _unlawfully_ will just give you an receipt to make you apply for a permit and replace it if necessary.

[@jho-ld1yn]

I guess that guy was a...Doctor Colonel? Like that soviet agent from Indiana Jones and the kingdom of the crystal skull?

[@ninjaGrim1]

oh wow! uploaded 2 months ago excited about 1000 subs, and now you've got +38000 subs! grats man :)

[@jonrumney743]

That accent, reminds me of so much of my youth (in callington area) and now I’m a fan, good subjects as well, loved “eddystone lighthouse”

[@alexandermckenzie5077]

I know you just put out a video about Vulcan after months ago but you seemed to be much more active several years ago. I just found your channel and find you very entertaining... are you still on KZbin or have you moved to another platform?

[@jrnone2047]

In India trees have been legally married. As crazy as the colonists across the pond get, the former crown jewel of the UK British Empire crown are crazier.

[@georgerapp8502]

So, I'm gonna reapply occam's razor since I've lived in the south my whole life and understand the culture a little better. It is more likely that the writer of this anonymous article simply took a liking to the tree for his own personal reasons and decided to co-opt this local dead man with influence to keep it around. You said that he might have been a doctor or a colonel, chances are he was neither. Theses were both, colonel especially, used as terms of respect in the deep south. Whose gonna argue with something as innocuous as a local dead celebrity liking a tree? Hardly even qualifies him as eccentric. Anonymous gets to keep the tree, and nobody thinks less of doctor colonel asswipe.

[@MsCane666]

Maybe you should mate with KnowledgeHub creator? :D Yours content is very similiar to his!

[@herbertkeithmiller]

You claim that the author wouldn't have any benefit from making up the story. I disagree. While not gaining public acclaim or financial benefit from the story he could have simply done it to please himself. He would be content in the secret knowledge that he is the sole possessor of the truth and he's pulled one off on everyone else. To me that provides enough motivation for this guy to make up the story. In other words the simplest explanation is that someone got a secret kick out of pulling the wool over everyone else's eyes. No further explanation needed.

[@qazwsxedc562]

Oh if you agree with all the other assumptions then in America a tree could inherit ownship from it's parent with out a Will. That's because here when you don't have a will all of your possession are given to your "next of kin" aka your closet living relative. Children are usually give the top priority when the government selects next of kin. Will's here are just a document for the person to dictate specifically how their possession should be given after they die and anything and to who. Whatever not mention in the will is given to the next of kin.

[@Saint_nobody]

So, let's say, the property deed and subsequent will, are written on paper... Is that then, a necronomicon for vegans?

[@grando111]

Trees cant own property, and neither humans, Property is theft, unless theft is legal all properties are illegal. All properties in this world , bought or inherented were acquired by illegal means, they were stolen from someone or from everyone, all lands should be public property since they never belong from anyone in the first place they could never be sold or transferred legally. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Possession_of_stolen_goods And all objects made from resources from those lands should also be public. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fence_(criminal)

[@liamwiltshire3400]

Oh my goodness, you produced this quality of video with less than a thousand subs? Can't fault your effort mate, it's a wonder your growing so quickly! (Big up the UK mandem too)

[@Zepherus]

Yeah, I think after this video is when I blew up, but I still think my videos are terrible and don't see what all the fuss is about.

[@alexanderj19]

why is the channel called zepherus? can we see your face? what video games do you like to play? what is your real name? How long have you been doing youtube? Why did u start youtube? Do you still have those letters from that one old intro? can you plz show us your face in this video? what video games do you like to play?

[@MrLompo123]

Favourite podcasts? favourite books? (& well done on 1000 subs)

[@lennartgro]

Can you make an explained-video about nazi-UFOs? (Glocke, Haunebu etc.)

[@recklessroges]

Doesn't seem very strange. In England Blenheim Palace owns itself.