Aggressive tree pruning
Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
I would like to give a word of support to Foppe Seekles (Olive Branch Brawl, June 14).
Yes, it is true that the trees in Malta are being pruned too aggressively, often out of season. To what advantage is yet to be understood.
In such a bare landscape as ours, trees should be respected and safeguarded. They belong to everyone and not only to the Department of Agriculture or any local council. Yet, it seems that whenever there is a nice line of trees providing much needed shade, they are hacked to the stock and this happens in most towns and villages.
What I find very sad is that, yet again, the complaint had to come from a foreigner. Come on Maltese, change some of the incorrect ways things are done, make your voice heard. Pristine nature is the only true legacy we can leave to our children. May I point out to the Rabat mayor and council that the decision to stop the pruning contract after the incident is a bit like “closing the gate once the horse has conveniently bolted”.
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Sabrina Borda
Jun 22nd 2012, 09:50
One wonders if the minister concerned for the environment even cares?
Does he shrug his shoulders and walk to the next tree planting photo opportunity?
Penny Rector
Jun 22nd 2012, 08:58
Well said - and sadly, all too true. If you care please sign the petition on the Save the Trees Facebook site.
Charles Zammit
Jun 21st 2012, 16:24
Spot on VL .
Charles Zammit
Jun 21st 2012, 14:28
Firewood for the stupid fireplaces is a lucrative business , and to hell with the environment as long as we have a fireplace to boast about and why should anybody worry about pollution ??
Toni Muscat
Jun 21st 2012, 13:32
From 2010 and it is still happening :(
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100926/letters/eucalyptus-trees-cut-down.328536
Pamela Hansen
Jun 21st 2012, 12:50
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/629/494/052/save-maltas-trees/
Pamela Hansen
Jun 21st 2012, 12:49
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/629/494/052/save-maltas-trees/
Toni Muscat
Jun 21st 2012, 11:35
All over Gozo most of the big majestic Eucalyptus trees and large palm trees were all destroyed when road works began. I asked someone why they had chopped them down. They were told because they harm asthma sufferers . Is this true ? These tree's have been around for at least 50 years. I think what is harming asthma suffers is all the dust and fumes from all the cars that some how pass their VRT on these islands. Cut the tree's down and we are adding to global warming in a huge way. Oh and don't even think about the Ozone layer with all the fumes that are coming out of the massive amount of cars.
http://environment.blurtit.com/q550162.html
Toni Muscat
Jun 21st 2012, 13:40
hummm .......... http://www.mepa.org.mt/news-details?id=235
Antoine Vella
Jun 21st 2012, 14:18
There is, unfortunately, a misguided obsession with certain pseudo-environmentalists that eucalyptus trees should be eradicated because they are "not indigenous".
While such trees should not be (and are not) used in afforestation projects, they are admirably suited to urban settings because they grow quickly and can withstand massive traffic pollution.
As regards allergies, all pollen can trigger a reaction in susceptible persons and all plants produce pollen so we might as well destroy all vegetation. Wheat and cypress, for example, are among the plants which produce most pollen but are almost never mentioned in this context.
M. Hills
Jun 21st 2012, 11:24
A row of beautiful,mature trees were done away with in Santa Teresa Street ,Cospicua,last Autumn. trees which provided shelter to passers by and residents and were home to sparrows...all for what??to make more pavement for tables and chairs ???
Victor Laiviera
Jun 21st 2012, 10:03
"the trees in Malta are being pruned too aggressively, often out of season. To what advantage is yet to be understood."
I know that I will be accused of being a "conspiracy theorist", but I cannot rid myself of the nagging suspicion that it is, at least partly, connected to the lucrative trade in firewood.
All proceeds from the sale of firewood obtained from public gardens and/or trees in public areas should go to a good cause like the Community Chest Fund or Dar tal-Provvidenza.
That is the only way we can be certain there are no conflicts of interest and our few trees are not being butchered for private gain.
Please choose the reason of your report below: