Condemned to death

This beautiful pine tree which grew up with me for the past 20 years or so has been condemned to death according to the notice which has been attached to it in these last months. The death sentence was imposed by the outgoing San Gwann local council for no apparent reason. The notice says that other trees will be replacing it.

If this tree is causing some inconvenience, it should have never been planted there in the first place. The notion of family planning applies just as well where towns and trees are concerned. We have to agree with the poet Joyce Kilmer that "Poems are made by fools like me/ But only God can make a tree".

It takes man and fools to destroy the beauty of nature as is being regularly done with the savage pruning of trees everywhere.

Other trees have been destroyed by the council in the last few years, among them the trees surrounding the historical chapel of St Margaret in Triq il-Kappella. I was told that other trees were planted somewhere else instead. I would very much like to know where these trees have been planted. The embellishment of the town must include tree planting in as many places as possible.

I appeal to the new San Gwann local council to show more sensitivity where old trees are concerned and to continue embellishing the town by planting more trees. If it still intends to carry on with the proposition of the former council to cut down this pine tree in Triq l-Ispika, I must make mine George P. Morris's final entreaty:

"Woodman, spare that tree!
"Touch not a single bough!
"In youth it sheltered me,
"And I'll protect it now!"