The National Tree

They say in life you never know which way the wind will blow.

So, who knew that a spring thunderstorm

thousands of miles from where I live

would change my life forever.

This is where I live. Liberty, Oregon.

It's so green here and the air is so fresh.

It's, like, impossible for things not to grow here.

Smile at the camera, Corey.

That's my mom and dad and me when I was, like, a day old.

Show the world what a proud papa you are.

Except for home movies and photos,

I don't remember my mom because she died when I was 1 ½,

which is sad because everybody says

she was a really special person.

The day I was born, my dad planted a tree for me.

A Sitka spruce.

My dad had to move a giant rock to do it.

That's how I got my name. Rock.

A Sitka grows a lot in 17 years. Mine sure did.

Why do I think my tree is special?

Well, it looks awesome, you can see that, but think about it.

How many birthday presents,

especially ones you get when you're only 1 day old...

Are still there 17 years later, bigger and better than ever?

That is a pretty special gift, my friends.

Well, it's better to give than to receive, right?

And this is my gift to you.

Hey, Belinda.

Corey, hey. It's for Rock. Sign by the X.

So, you trying to fix him up again?

Here. Gloria's coming for Thanksgiving.

It's a lost cause.

I gave up trying hitting on this man years ago.

You're married, Belinda.

Yeah, and don't remind me.

Hey, and don't take all of Eddie's money tomorrow night.

Hi, Belinda.

Okay, would you stop growing, for crying out loud?

Are you trying to make me feel old? See you, boys.

Well, I'm late. Sorry.

We managed without you but you have to remember--

Uh-oh, I hear a teachable moment coming on.

If you worked for someone else,

being late would have consequences.

Your pay could be docked, you could lose your job.

Yeah, but who would fire a great kid like me?

Ugh.

I'll be on time tomorrow.

Got a dolly out back.

How was school?

Boring.

Some things don't change.

That's hilarious, Ash. The Gold Rush, right?

Bollywood style.

Hey guys, it rained in Shanghai today.

We haven't had rain in weeks.

You should come to Liberty, dude. Always rains here.

And you must come to China, Rock.

And Mumbai.

Oh, I will, dudes. I totally will.

Do you have a movie for us, Rock?

Yeah, a little animated thing I'm working on.

Hey, umm, I got a stack of catalogues today

from college counselling. The Film Studies program

at University of Oregon sounds kind of cool.

I'm looking at that school too.

I think I might, you know, come up for a tour in the spring.

Me too. We should, like, coordinate and do that together.

Yeah, that would be awesome.

Count me in too, guys.

Hi, Rock. Faith Russell.

I sent you a certified letter telling you I was coming.

Post Office tracking said you signed for it.

Letter?

Yeah. Well, we tried e-mailing you but they all bounced back.

Did you change your e-mail address?

Ah, yes. I was getting a lot of spam.

Look, is there something I can--

Help you with, ma'am?

Oh, hi. Faith Russell, Box Of Toys. You must be Rock's father.

Did I get a certified letter?

Yeah, yesterday. I put it on your dresser.

I didn't see it.

Oh, so you don't know. Know what?

Your tree. Your Simka.

Sitka.

It won. It's our new national tree.

It won?

Mm-hmm. Congratulations.

My tree won?

Yeah.

Woo!

He seems happy.

After you.

The previous national tree had been there for almost 100 years.

It was a popular DC landmark but it was hit and destroyed

by lightning last March and there wasn't enough money left

in this year's park service budget,

so we signed on to find a new tree, bring it to DC

and plant it all on our own nickel.

The contest to pick the tree, I read about it on Facebook.

It was a great submission, Rock.

I did this cool video.

It was so funny and touching.

So, let me see if I understand this.

You want to uproot the tree, put it on the back of a truck,

drive it across country and plant it at the White House?

Across the street from The White House in the ellipse.

And then the day after Thanksgiving,

to kick off the holidays,

we'll decorate it to the nines

and the president himself will turn on the lights.

The president? Dad, how cool is that?

So, you want to buy the tree?

No, there is a $5,000 cash prize, but...

You can't actually put a value on a tree like this.

It's priceless, which is why we want it to be

our national tree so we can share it with the world.

And how are you going to transport it,

keep it alive, along the way?

A licenced arborist will supervise

and a team of professionals will drive it cross-country.

It'll be in good hands.

And you can't find a tree back east?

We could but this is our first choice and, well,

this is my project and I'm based in Portland,

so I think there is a wee bit of regional pride happening here.

I don't know.

Dad, this is awesome.

I get to go to Washington, right?

Absolutely. We'll fly you out, put you up.

You'll be right there when the lights go on.

What about school?

It'll be Thanksgiving week, I'll be on break.

We'll think about it.

Think about it? There's nothing to think about.

I'm not sure how comfortable I am with the idea.

You don't have to be comfortable with this.

It's my tree, remember? Isn't that what you always say?

"I planted this tree for you, Rock."

You planted it for me, didn't you?

We'll talk about it, Rock.

You know, your dad's right. It's a big decision.

So, look, I'm staying at the Liberty Pines B&B.

Let me know when you've decided.

But I will need to know by tomorrow morning.

We do have a tree back East, a Douglas fir in Bethel, Maine.

And if this isn't going to work out, we'll just move to plan B.

I can let myself out.

Why did you do that?

Rock, a tree is a delicate thing, a living thing.

A trip like that, clear across the country,

they don't know what they're doing, they could kill it.

How do you know they don't know what they're doing?

Well, she called it a Simka, for one thing.

You always do this. You always say no.

That is not true.

This is my chance to get out of here.

This is my chance to do something cool,

to meet the president.

But you don't care about me. All you care about is the tree.

Well, shall we offer more money?

I don't think it's about the money.

I think the father's just really protective of the tree.

So, we go to plan B.

No, no. Not yet. I mean, I'm here,

I've given them until tomorrow morning.

Let's just see how it plays out.

Whatever you say. It's your baby.

Okay, I'll keep you posted.

Hi, sweetheart.

No, I'm still in Liberty, ironing out details.

I can't wait either. How are your mom and dad?

Ah, I miss you too.

You in, Hank?

5 bucks.

See that? And... raise.

You're bluffing.

Only one way to find out.

Well, one of us is. Take it.

You know, I think you're out of line on this one, Corey.

Eddie's right. It's Rock's tree.

He should be able to do whatever he wants with it.

Transplanting a tree that big,

and 3,000 miles away...

It can be done.

Look, I understand that it is cool and exciting for Rock

that they picked the tree

and they want to put it on display in DC,

but once that tree is gone from here, it's gone forever.

Yeah, well, let's bottom line this.

Whose tree is it? Who does it belong to?

Who didn't ante?

Come on, Corey.

It might be an opportunity to spend some time with Rock.

Must be tough.

What?

Well, knowing Rock will be gone soon.

He's still got a year and a half.

That will go fast. Core's 14, Connor's 12.