Tree pruning

I refer to Godfrey J. Sciberras's comments (June 13) deploring the total ruination of the "pruned" trees in Pietà.

I also would like to comment about the capricious uprooting of the very old and colourful oleanders in Mdina.

With reference to the first lot of victims I can only say that nowhere in the world have I ever seen trees reduced to that pitiful state!

In a country like ours which lacks both shade and greenery I find this massacre inexplicable and inconceivable!

The Mdina oleander uprooting is a case of "Thott knisja biex tibni ohra!"

The oleanders have been growing happily, colourfully and harmoniously in front of Vilhena Palace for over a century; or so I am told!

Why they had to be destroyed and replaced by two 250-year-old olive trees is again inexplicable!

The oleanders could easily have been left where they were and there are plenty of other locations in Mdina where the Olives could have been planted.

Our trees are precious and must be propagated and looked after properly.

The trees that were removed from Piazza Ospedale in Zebbug are a case in point. It is a crime to mutilate or remove a tree!

If this goes on unchecked we will end up by looking like an outpost of the Sahara!