Straits Times Forum
Online Story
Jul 12, 2010
Why fell healthy trees?
A FEW magnificent albizia trees stand tall at a corner beside the concrete fence of my apartment block in Choa Chu Kang Street 64. They provide many varieties of birds with a "playground". These shady trees have withstood harsh monsoons for an unknown number of years.
A few days ago, a few workmen arrived to fell these trees. I am aware that albizia trees are considered "weak" by the park authorities, but should all such trees be chopped down? Should the authorities not consider the conditions of their growth on a case by case basis? Why chop down healthy trees just because "they are wild" and "easily uprooted", as I have been told?
We have been a little fortunate, though, that the representative from the National Parks Board agreed to stop the sawing, sparing a few trees for the moment.
I hope the authorities will study each supposedly "weak" tree more carefully before deciding to fell them. When an old tree grows in proximity and in harmony with human habitation, certain "bonds" may have been unconsciously forged.
Grace Chew (Ms)
