Nine formidable palm trees stood smartly at Howard Gardens – that part known as It-Tomba, at the back of the gardens facing the town of Mtarfa. Apart from the fact that the benches in this part of this public garden are meant for people to relax and enjoy the panorama, today all one can see when sitting on these benches are wild shrub-like tree branches that have grown higher than the security rail round the garden.

These palm trees used to form an important part of the Rabat-Mdina skyline and have been there for decades. About two years ago, two of them were infested by the Red Palm Weevil and had to be chopped down. Last year, another fell victim and ended like the others. However, it seems the others were taken care of – the trunks were shaved clean, etc.

Unfortunately, this year, another one appeared to be falling apart and then the one next to it – both are now dying a slow, undignified death. However, they have not been removed, so, probably, the remaining ones will follow suit... What a shame! This leaves just four palm trees. It is good to rehabilitate the Mdina ditch but such a project can be completed in a year. On the other hand, it will take ages to produce a mature, fully-grown palm tree.

I do hope that the Rabat skyline will not feature a blank outline.

Where are the palm trees? I mean where are those responsible for the care of the palm trees?