This sculpture is an abstracted tree based on a bald cypress and black mangrove. The sculpture pays homage to the Gentilly neighborhood as a former cypress swamp and references the planting of black mangroves (which are not native to Louisiana) as a key strategy in wetland restoration. The roots are raised to six feet to mark the height of sea level in the park. The sculpture incorporates oyster shells as a symbol of the shell’s historic and current use in coastal restoration and land building, as well as a reference to displaced Indigenous populations and the brutal history of slavery and colonialism. The sculpture will be made from steel, fiberglass reinforced concrete, bronze and oyster shells. The patina will change over time as a result of natural weathering and physical interaction with residents.