Oh, the jello->tree business was just a brief opening for an essay I was writing for a class. I was using it to introduce what I had decided was an even more difficult problem: trying to throw away a trash can.
My problem was trying to communicate to the trash collectors that the trash can itself was actually trash. It was a very silly experience. I tried putting a big sign on the can that said TRASH, and when that didn't work, I tried putting a sign on it that said BASURA, since the crew spoke Spanish. (I think they probably thought I was insane with my putting labels on the trash can. "Yes, crazy lady, we know this is the trash!") I tried putting the can inside another can, etc.
Anyhoo, the overall theme was about being locked into our perceptions of things, and only being able to view them in one way. I thought the trash can made a good example.