Hugging trees is definitely a great thing to do. I figure even the tree probably likes it. As for those who are too full of themselves or too inhibited to deign to ever hug a tree...may they stew in their own cynical juice! ;-)

Kumbaya is indeed a song about compassion. When sung sincerely and with real feeling it can be quite powerful. When sung superficially just by rote it can be annoying. That's the case with a great many songs. You have to give a song 100% to get the most out of it, and that takes concentration and dedication.