Lisa the Tree Hugger/References

References/Trivia

Season 12 Episode References

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"Lisa the Tree Hugger"

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Cultural references

Lisa's quest to save Springfield's oldest redwood tree by living in it is a reference to the real-life story of Julia Butterfly Hill and a redwood tree called "Luna". Hill lived in the tree for two years and succeeded in preventing it from being cut down by loggers. The details of Lisa's day-to-day existence in her tree (such as hauling supplies up to her tent by a rope) are very similar to Hill's.
The montage where Bart delivers the menus for You Thai Now is a reference to The Matrix:
- Music from the movie's soundtrack plays during the scene.
- When Bart is in the apartment building, he goes into "bullet time" when he first enters the hallway, then runs along the walls as he leaves the menus on the doorknobs (referencing two of the movie's distinctive special effects shots).
When the giant log destroys Kentucky Fried Panda, Homer exclaims "No! It was finger-ling-ling good!", which is a reference to Kentucky Fried Chicken and its slogan, "Finger-Lickin' Good", and to either or both of two famous giant pandas named Ling-Ling:
- Ling-Ling of Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing fame, who lived from 1969 to 1992. The pair were a gift from China to the USA in 1972.
- Ling Ling, who resided at the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo and lived from 1985 to 2008.
Kentucky Fried Panda may also be a reference to the fast-food chains Kentucky Fried Chicken and Panda Express.
One scene when the tree is crossing the country recreates The Tetons and the Snake River taken by famous photographer Ansel Adams.

After Marge sings a song about thrift, Bart exclaims that he doesn't have a cap; however, he is seen wearing his lucky red hat in some episodes, commercials, comics and games.
Jesse points out that whichever member of Dirt First stays in the redwood won't be able to come back down "Not even for a Phish concert". In "Weekend at Burnsie's" several members of Dirt First are seen at the Phish concert.

Lenny Leonard has gray hair in the group of people.
The rims of Elizabeth Hoover's glasses are much thicker than they usually are in the same scene.
When Lisa is sitting on the couch watching a TV program that mourns her rumored death, her tongue is pink instead of red.

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Treehouse of Horror XI • A Tale of Two Springfields • Insane Clown Poppy • Lisa the Tree Hugger • Homer vs. Dignity • The Computer Wore Menace Shoes • The Great Money Caper • Skinner's Sense of Snow • HOMЯ • Pokey Mom • Worst Episode Ever • Tennis the Menace • Day of the Jackanapes • New Kids on the Blecch • Hungry, Hungry Homer • Bye, Bye, Nerdie • Simpson Safari • Trilogy of Error • I'm Goin' to Praiseland • Children of a Lesser Clod • Simpsons Tall Tales