Removing trees

It truly will be a sad day on this island when no one really bothers to put their foot down on issues that concern us all.

I could not but laugh at the contents of the article where a dispute has risen over the removal of certain trees from the promenade in Bugibba/St Paul's Bay. Now I do not claim to be an expert on agricultural matters, but I do know that the palms, together with the tamarisks, have rooted well and are hardy to withstand the unforgiving storms that rage along the coast.

The tamarisks in themselves are coastal trees, while the palms add character as well as diversity to this bland area. All this, together with the inevitable destruction of the already improved pavement, re-paving and labour is being paid for by my tax money. Why are officials so intent on this national crusade of waste; and contributing to the constant upheaval of construction and destruction that spoils this island?

Removing the trees to replant olive trees is ridiculous. Olive trees will not survive the harshness of the elements in this area. Such trees are grown in sheltered groves, close together for further protection. Plonking them into cement covered pavements, expecting them to thrive on salty sea spray and the drought of summer further brings a snigger to my face.

Uprooting the established trees "in the name of" re-planting with indigenous plants is ludicrous. Most of the flora now found on Malta today was imported over a period of hundreds of years to begin with, save for a few trees and shrubs that are endemic to our shores. If this project goes ahead, they may as well start removing all the prickly pear cactus, the eucalyptus trees, the century plants all over our rough coastal terrain (and now in public and private gardens too), the oleanders and others.

When will we Maltese ever learn to leave nature alone and stop playing chess games with its shrubs?