Some tinfoil was sticking out of a knot-hole just above my eye level, winking at me in the afternoon sun. I stood on my tiptoe, hastily looked around once more, reached into the hole, and withdrew two pieces of chewing gum minus their outer wrappers.

Two live oaks stood at the end of the Radley lot; their roots reached into the side-road and made it bumpy. Something about one of the trees attracted my attention.
Some tinfoil was sticking out of a knot-hole just above my eye level, winking at me in the afternoon sun. I stood on my tiptoe, hastily looked around once more, reached into the hole, and withdrew two pieces of chewing gum minus their outer wrappers.

– Harper Lee

To Kill a Mockingbird, Chapter 4. The Radley tree symbolizes community. The roots are reaching out and symbolize how the reclusive Boo is trying to reach out and be friendly towards the children. He tries to connect with Jem and Scout by leaving gifts for then in the tree. Boo’s gifts foreshadow how he will later be seen as a symbol of goodness and courage and not the frightening, reclusive monster he is depicted to be early on in the story.

Harper Lee Quotes