300-year-old tree set on fire

Steve Borg

Dec 31st 2009, 13:30

@Joe Borg "Żażu": Actually I am from Marsascala and the empty skip that I found in Għaxaq was the first I found on my way home from Imġiebaħ. All Malta is ours to protect and cherish, irrespective of the locality where we live. That makes us responsible citizens, different from the moaners and armchair critics that abound around us. Our responsability comes through action, not words.

Yes, Jennifer you are right. I am the PL candidate that contested the MEP elections. The environment was my first priority, together with education, culture and social issues.

jennifer agius

Dec 31st 2009, 09:44

@ Joe Borg 'Zuzu'. If it s the Steve Borg I think it is, he s not from Mellieha, but a wiedilghajni, and what he probably did was throw the rubbish in the first skip he found on his way back home, which happened to be in Ghaxaq. if steve is anything, he is not the NIMBY type.

Robert (A) Falzon

Dec 30th 2009, 23:56

I am very heartened by the comments that this article has evoked. It means that there are many of us that care for our environment.

I remember some young men dangling from a rope tied to a branch on a big tree at l-istazzjon gardens in Birkirkara. This was about 42 years ago, I was with my parents and my siblings enjoying some refreshments after a 'passigata' on a Sunday afternoon. At one point one of the young men was trying to break a branch of this majestic tree when my father stood up and told the young men to untie the rope and leave the tree alone. This they did and I felt very proud of my dad.

We should all feel proud trying to save our environment by either doing something physical such as planting a new tree or look after an existing one or just by expressing our thoughts of support for a healthy environment through the media.

I remember many beautiful fields and trees (now no more) at l-iklin, ta'Ganu, l-Infetti, il-lienja, l-Imsierah, l-Imriehel etc. Let us preserve what we have left.

Joe Borg 'Zuzu'

Dec 30th 2009, 23:03

@ Steve Borg; I' l beg your pardon???? Trowing your rubbish in our village? I will agree that Mellieha is prettier than Ghaxaq, but this is preposterous.
You nearly pushed me to tell you 'seww ghamlulkom'.
Is-Sena it-tajba.

R. Attard

Dec 30th 2009, 21:04

I read a bit comments below and these are some of reactions that came to my mind. I think one cannot use MEPA as a means to say we are doing things by the book, because everyone knows it's not like that. Incidentally, I watched the movie Avatar and I think it gives the message of respecting nature. People should be brainwashed by such messages. Finally, I know it wasn't a member of government who did this but the example they are giving (if you want to do something, just do it) reflects such acts by the most stupid people in our society. We need education and enforcement. If I know that I would not be simply laughed at when I report illegal activities, I will be the first one to do my civic duties. Let's not continue towards becoming a boneless society. Happy New Year!!

dusty williams

Dec 30th 2009, 19:26

ALFRED MANGION MA JMISSIKX TISTHI ANKE FUQ SIGRA SE DDAHHAL IL POLITIKA?

Toni Valletta

Dec 30th 2009, 14:19

Beside the Burnt Pine Tree two carob trees were also burnt .l.These trees were burnt on a Saturday night because I passed by the trees on Saturday afternoon and everything was normal.One of the farmers who toil the fields down in the valley noticed the trees were burnt and the smell of the burned branches was still who strong on early Sunday morning.I saw the disaster on Sunday afternoon during my usual walk down to Selmun Bay.A couple of weeks or so an official notice was put up about 50 meters from the burnt tree prohibiting BRQ,s Camping and off roading. Is this a signal by who do not like these orders? These activities still take place.Yesterday I met bikers doing off roading in the valley . A contact Phone number should be placed on these Notices where one can report these vandals. This place should be patrolled more frequently during the dark hours of the day and especially on weekends.

M Caruana

Dec 30th 2009, 11:57

What type of person has the right to rob the Maltese & visitor alike of such a majestic tree? I have noticed this particular tree on my way down to the beach, it is so imposing, absolutely one of a kind and it looks like someone with a warped mind also noticed it. Lets hope the authorities manage to save it!

neville debattista

Dec 30th 2009, 11:49

Nahseb wasal iz-zmien li nergghu nibdew naharqu in-nies kif kien jigri fi zmien l-inkwizizzjoni.

R Muscat

Dec 30th 2009, 11:30

It would be good to know whether there is an interest in development of the land this tree is on.

Too often have we seen environmental terrorism for the sake of development or in NAMRA????

The police should investigate this case and bring the perpetrator to justice, hopefully the courts will make an example of those involved. Particularly when one sees the public outcry at this stupid act of vandalism.

Thankfully we have good people like Steve Borg and there are saplings of this tree therefore the genes of this tree will not be lost forever if the tree dies. But it will truly be a shame if it does.
I expect that the leaders of all the political parties will express their disgust at such a cowardly attack.

Galea. L

Dec 30th 2009, 09:51

Alfred Mangion
Totally agree with you. An example must be made of anyone caught vandalizing our heritage and we should get the authorities promise that NO permits whatsoever will be issued for any buildings of whatever sort in the area.

ALFRED MANGION
There is only a pn government who stole the general election. Whoever steals will not enjoy his spoils and that is the reason there is so much trouble and problems in the pn government. The time is nigh for the pn government.

Jesmond Micallef

Dec 30th 2009, 09:47

This is indeed very PRIMITIVE, meaning the people who did this act of vandalism deserve to be put in a ZOO somewhere and labelled as "XADINUS PRIMITIVUS - SUB SUB SUB HOMOS ERECTUS".

DEPLORABLE !!! UTTERLY DEPLORABLE !!!

t farrugia

Dec 30th 2009, 09:40

what a cowardly act!!!!

@ Joseph Borg - I do not agree with you. This was done by a few people not the whole country so I do not agree that this country is unsavable. Unfrotunetely the actions of a few taint the image of most people. Also, things like this happen in every country.

Malcolm Mifsud

Dec 30th 2009, 09:04

Are you operating in reverse mode, Mr Cutajar?

C.Cilia

Dec 30th 2009, 08:25

From what I read I came to the conclusion that Mr Robert Cutajar is very much interested to save the destruction of trees particularly in Mellieha. Well this is very encouraging. Therefore I would like to take this opportunity to ask him to intervene in the removal of dying and dead Palms at St. Marija Estate. Lately we have reported to the disease controll section at tal kmand several of these deceased palms. Disgustingly after more than a month the trees are still standing with hundreds of caterpillars of the Red beetle crawling about the trunk. Spreading of this insect is being encouraged by the Department.
I also regret to say that the lack of providing a spray unit by this section against payment of course(xejn ma hu b'xejn daz zmien) is a disgrace. Going over to a private provider and having six thirty feet palm on my property it costs mee 90 euros a month. to spray. By the way these palms are embellishing the area. One can see them from two miles out at sea.
The laisser faire by the agricultural Dept is to say the least nausiatic.

Charles J. Buttigieg

Dec 30th 2009, 08:19

The Aleppo Pine is a very sturdy tree and can take a lot of punishment. What was done to it is condemnable and the authorities must be vigilant to catch the culprit/s. Having said that, the tree can still be saved if pruned off the burnt branches and cut down to its bare minimum and should, in fact, continue to grow and would look more beautiful than it looked at its former days of glory. Get a professional and pray that they’ll do a good job. God would take care of the rest, I promise you.

Robert (A) Falzon

Dec 30th 2009, 02:39

I have a great love for Malta and its environment. I now live overseas but I cannot shake my love for my country of birth. With the continuing urban sprawl because of the ever increasing population, Malta has lost a lot of its countryside and rural environs.

For anyone contemplating of burning down a 300 year old tree is sheer madness. To actually set this 300 year old tree alight is akin to barbarism and to having total disregard and disrespect and love to the country and to the the community.

I do not know the background as to why anyone would set fire to this three. If this was done to facilitate a housing development or the like, the governing body of the area should plant a number of trees (semi mature) and have an order placed to protect them. A new development should also accommodate existing mature trees wherever possible, but a three hundred year old tree is living part of our history and should be preserved as it part of our national patrimony.

Joseph Borg

Dec 30th 2009, 00:38

This country is simply un-saveable

Michael Borg

Dec 29th 2009, 23:45

It s seems that someone is impressed by AVATAR ( the movie ) i think we should ban that movie !!

Steve Borg

Dec 29th 2009, 23:01

This epitomises the cowardly acts committed by the sick minds that fester our society. The few true environmentalists amongst us call this particular tree "ix-Xiħa" and it is thought to be one of the oldest Maltese Aleppo pines. Some eight years ago on a particular June 7 World Environment Day, I dedicated hours cleaning the area around this majestic tree on my own. It was strewn with discarded moldy clothes, carton boxes, tins, bottles and what have you and I carried the stinking lot to the first skips that I found - which was in Għaxaq.

Government should offer a reward that leads to the arrest and prosecution of the heartless vandal/s. Whoever is arraigned should be charged of attempting to destroy a national monument, amongst other charges. I expect that the Superitendence of Cultural Heritage, as custodians of our patrimony, should also assist in the investigations and assessments of damage inflicted.

I had propogated a number of trees from seeds collected from cones of this tree - they are planted in Wied Għollieqa - and I propose that the Ministry of Environment should collect as many cones as possible since its genetic strain may not be so widely dispersed.

Paul P. Borg

Dec 29th 2009, 22:11

Years ago I tried to stop the destruction of the interior of Selmun Palace by apealing to the then Council of Mellieha: everyone said I was right but NOTHING was done about it. Recently I was informed that the main altar of the old chapel was removed! God only knows where it is! When people started off-roading at Il-Blata , I protested; the authorities said I was right; but, again, NOTHING was done about it. The destruction is now there for everyone to see! Also, bulldozers cut roads right in the surface of the garigues nearby, NOTHING (apposta ittri kbar!) was done about it. Years ago I protested about the new restaurant development at Mistra, the authoritioes said people had a right to eat a pizza at Mistra! And that heralded what will inevitably happen to silent Mistra shortly! The writing is on the wall : money is very powerful. I know what the burning of this old tree means: We don't love Mother Nature. We hate Mother Nature. We need good watch-dogs. Education. Discipline. I only hope Robert &co will show their mettle. Robert, Mellieha is too beautiful to escape the environmentalist - and the vandal!

ALFRED MANGION

Dec 29th 2009, 21:39

The Mayor and Local Council of Mellieha should be encouraged to keep up their fantastic work. May they serve as an example to other Local Councils. May I draw Ms Helen Attard's attention that there is no PN Government, BUT a Maltese Government. It was only in the Labour days that a Labour Minister wrote "Il-bieb tieghi miftuh ghall-Laburisti BISS" ("My door is open ONLY to Labour Party supporters").

Rocco Cauchi

Dec 29th 2009, 21:07

Let us hope that the tree will be saved, but if it ever comes to felling, layer samples should be kept and ample study made of the tree rings to get to know what the weather was like since 1700. Together with other evidence, not least written material, we could get a first hand account of the cycles Malta's weather passes through.

J. J. Borg

Dec 29th 2009, 20:37

Robert Cutajar: fair enough and to be honest I have heard many many positive things about the Mellieha council. Best wishes to you all for a successful year.

robert cutajar

Dec 29th 2009, 20:30

I used caps by mistake in my previous comment so i excuse myself . I wont comment of what we , together with the whole community , are trying to do as a local council in Mellieha ... the Mellieha residents will judge. I assure everybody that i will keep on trying to do my utmost to get the best for Mellieha.....Mellieha deserves the best.

J. J. Borg

Dec 29th 2009, 20:05

Robert Cutajar: people who write messages in block letters give me the impression that either they feel they are more important than others or that they believe they can convince people of their views by "shouting" loudest. Is this how you conduct business in the Mellieha council?

Charles Vella

Dec 29th 2009, 20:02

Well done Robert for what you are doing in Mellieha just to mention the last one the Christmas village (prosit) KEEP IT UP MELLIEHA IS BEHINED YOU.

Helen Attard

Dec 29th 2009, 19:46

@ Rob Cutajar - mayor of Mellieha. All Mellieha people and all readers will applaud your council's efforts for embellishment and landscaping AS LONG AS you do not mention the infamous Mepa or any other pn govt department!!! WE poor humans down here are not so forgetful of how Bahrija was and is being officially raped (and Mistra just escaped the blow - so far!) with the blessing of the omnipotent but senseless Mepa you mentioned! So please... respect yourself and your council's good intentions.. do yourself a favour and do NOT bring in Mepa in what you intend doing!!!

Franco Farrugia

Dec 29th 2009, 18:49

@ Robert Cutajar - First, I would ask you not to use caps and to observe what is known to be netiquette. Secondly, please, don't think that everyone is going to swoon and fall to the ground because you mention MEPA or some other Govt. Dept. Trees are trees!

Robert Cutajar

Dec 29th 2009, 18:27

Att.Mr.J. Vella JUST A SHORT NOTE TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THE TREES YOU ARE REFERRING TO WERE NOT PINE TREES BUT CESAURINA. THIS JOB WAS DONE AFTER PERMIT WAS GRANTED FROM MEPA AND AGRICULTURE DEPT. THE MELLIEHA LOCAL COUNCIL IS WORKING ON AN EMBELLISHMENT LANDSCAPING PROJECT IN THE HEART OF THE VILLAGE.

Leslie Vella

Dec 29th 2009, 18:24

I was walking in the area on Tuesday last week and the tree was already burnt then. The fire looks like it was assisted by fuel: you do not get such flames in December. It merits all efforts to save it. 300 years is no joke: it means that this tree was already there when the Knights of St John still had ninety years to go in Malta. I sincerely hope that it can be saved as it is by far the most imposing tree in the area. Please make sure that it is seen by experts to avoid causing more damage than that caused by the cowardly perpetrator

J. Borg

Dec 29th 2009, 17:51

Well said J.Vella!

J Micallef

Dec 29th 2009, 17:39

It's amazing how uncivilized beings are so shallow that they resort to vandalism to send a political message.

Paul Barrett

Dec 29th 2009, 16:54

If the presence of this fine tree was part and parcel of a cause to stop some sort of development in the area then, the area should be permanently frozen. If the tree dies then a new one should be planted to replace it and immediately given a protection order It would be even more criminal if anyone was to make gain or circumvent the rules from this act.

Alfred Mangion

Dec 29th 2009, 16:44

When vandals are caught - especially those vandalising our heritage - should be taught a lesson, which lesson should make others desist from committing such shameful acts. Shame, Shame, Shame!!!

J.Vella

Dec 29th 2009, 16:40

Abit rich coming from the council that just chopped down a whole row of old pines and tamarisk trees to make way for a commemorative plaque and an 80s style roundabout.(in front of the school). Please in the future leave these jobs to the ELA consortium, at least they have some sensitivity and style.