With Only One at the Roots

A tree once grew behind our fence,
      it wasn't a very large one.
It's branches within were not very dense
      But of growing it wasn't quite done.

      You see, it was a nuisance to us,
           we didn't much care for its life.
      As it grew, we would put up quite a fuss
           'cause it gave us nothing but strife.

Against our fence its limbs would constantly push,
      eventually the fence it would break.
The loppers we would take out to cut that bush
      and the branches to the trash we would take

      Yet the plant, it would seem, would always grow back.
           It was reluctant to die.
      Even if branches it usually lacked
           all its roots under the dirt did lie.

We consistently were found attacking the top
      but never once did hurt the tree.
Its growth underground we never did stop,
      and soon our mistake we would see.

      As the roots all throughout the ground did grow
           the fence's foundation got weak.
      And even though the post's rotting was slow
           our fence's life the tree did seek.

So one night when a strong wind did blow
      the fence did give up its fight.
Over to the ground it did loudly go,
      it was a saddening sight.

      See, the roots had pushed clear right through the base
           of the fence we were trying to save.
      Although we had cleared branches from the fence's face
           the large roots no consideration we gave.

If just one person would have spent the time
      to cut the roots instead of top,
our fence that was on the ground would've been fine,
      the damage could have been stopped.

      See, without one attacking the base of the tree
           the problem you cannot solve.
      You make strike at all the symptoms you see
           but the source you will not have resolved.

Yet with only one striking down at the source
      the solution quite soon can be found.
You will be saved from a lot of remorse,
      Your fence will stay strong in the ground.