The beneficial presence of trees

I would like to confirm Alfred Grech's comment (June 11) about trees in our country.

I cannot but agree with Mr Grech's argument that "Streets with trees look much nicer and we'll be also enriching our environment". I invite Mr Grech to take a look at two particular roads where I live: Żabbar Road and Hompesch Road, in Fgura. They are simply naked and ugly without any trees.

More than 10 years ago, ficus trees, planted there, were massacred, chopped to make way for the new pavements and were never replaced. One can understand the argument that some of the trees were uprooting tiles, with some roots making ways into residents' homes and causing damage. One understands that such trees were perhaps not the adequate kind of trees to plant in pavements. Yet, more than 10 years on I am still left in awe as to how the local council never took an interest in replacing those trees with others such as the olive. These trees can withstand any conditions in pots (if they are given enough care). One good example is the Msida local council - it seems that they have made it a mission to place potted trees on wide pavements. Knowing that they have a lot of traffic, they are trying to decrease the effect of pollution even if by a fraction by planting potted olive trees where possible.

For years I have had several childish (if not pathetic) arguments from local council members regarding my plea to place potted trees in the above-mentioned streets. Some arguments range from lack of funds to fear that trees' twigs might get into people's eyes (as if we have many people who are more than two metres tall!).

True, there were cases where hibiscuses (a plant not a tree) were stolen but one has to keep in mind that they were only saplings, which were so easy to pull out.

Another argument that is many times used to sweetly place a hand over my mouth is that there "are trees in pots already". Little do they know that they are called "shrubs", which are completely different from trees and one can easily count them on the fingers of both hands.

In the annual general meeting, the public was invited to make suggestions and so I made my proposals for the nth time. I did all my research - got a lot of information about where trees could be purchased from and how much trees and pots cost approximately (some thanks to Msida local council for their help). I sometimes wonder if those papers have been read or not.

May I remind residents that Fgura (and Żejtun) have one of the highest respiratory problems in the world - please note I say the world and not Europe (Jason Bonnici and Martin Balzan - Respiratory Health Survey of Fgura and Żejtun - Maltatoday August 12, 2001). So not only will these trees improve the horrific aesthetic state of the two roads in question and provide shade, but they will also absorb a considerable amount of pollution released by cars that pass through these arterial roads.

So while I cannot but agree with Mr Grech's letter, my appeal is one: that the local council of Fgura give serious attention to my comments (and many others who are silent) instead of ignoring this very important issue.