Tree marriage is a form of symbolic proxy marriage between a human and a tree that is said to be infused with supernatural life and may allow a bachelor to become a widower when the tree is felled and thus marry a human widow.[1] Traditionally, Hindus could not marry three times. To avoid this, anyone who had been widowed twice and wanted to look for a new wife had to first celebrate a marriage ceremony with a sahada tree (Streblus asper), which was then cut down.[2] It was once widespread in India among cults which believed trees contain hidden sacred medicine, fertility enhancers or souls of the dead and unborn.[1]
In 2007, Aishwarya Rai announced that she would marry a tree.[3]
The Inquisitr reported that women in San Jacinto Amilpas were marrying trees to protest logging.[4]