A man who a few weeks ago was involved in a standoff with a horticulturist in Rabat over “aggressive” olive tree pruning, which he believed was “killing the trees”, is determined to stop it happening again.

Foppe Seekles, 65, wants to turn his unfortunate incident into a positive contribution for both the Maltese community and the trees.

“I contacted people who could help set up a good pruning platform to make people aware of best practice in this field,” he said.

He has now become involved in the setting up of a subgroup within the Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar to work on improved landscaping, planting and pruning of trees. He said: “We hope to bring together the authorities, practitioners and the public to promote a greener Malta that treasures its trees.”

“Out of adversity comes opportunity,” he added, quoting Benjamin Franklin.

He specified that the whole incident happened to him as a private person and not in his role as an executive president of the Maltese branch of Coastal and Marine Union (EUCC).