Readers may be forgiven into thinking that the strange objects in this photograph are creatures from outer space; possibly triffids out of John Wyndham’s rather spine-chilling novel. But, no, they are what is left of the trees on the Sliema front after “pruning”.

I have travelled extensively in four continents and visited many diverse places but I have never seen the like anywhere else!

It is as though the Department of Agriculture has declaredn war on trees and are employing methods reminiscent of the Spanish Inquisition to hasten the demise of trees some of which are hundreds of years old. As the hot summer months approach any shade would be bliss while an oasis of green would test the eye from the prevalent concrete and dust desert that surrounds us. For shame!