Trees need us
Re: The Week, May 10-16
Please when reading, know in your hearts and mind the cherished feelings and memories you have with the trees in your life.
Trees are important to us humans. During the day they take in the carbon dioxide, then at night (if there is not much light pollution) they release oxygen for us to breathe. They are planted to mark people's births and deaths. They are the enduring symbol of life on earth. The stress people feel is often released when they are around and under trees. Trees offer solace and companionship for the tired and lonely.
In reading the article, there was a sentence that stood out like a tree — "At the removal of the heritage house a representative of Nickel Bros said the company could have worked around the tree — they've navigated through worse."
I am not convinced that the old elm was inconvenient to the Mann brothers plan. Trees are sometimes more important than heritage houses. If the tree was unhealthy, perhaps someone could have tried to help it get healthy again.
What was in the arbourist's report to the city was: "It would not survive the construction needed." What construction was he talking about? If the Nickel Bros can remove a house around a tree then I argue, could not the Don Mann property owners put in a new dwelling without damaging the tree?
Aren't we trying to keep this earth greener and not kill the natural environment? This example of killing an old elm to help a single land owner develop his land is shameful and deeply saddening.
Victoria City Planning Development folks, please try to not cut down old trees in the future. Do everything in your hearts and minds to preserve all people’s heritage called "old elm trees on Dallas Road."
VJ Ross,Old town Esquimalt