The Fitz Gerald Oak

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31416, 8 July 1967, Page 12

The Fitz Gerald Oak

Sir,—Do we as a nation appreciate our heritage? The felling of the hundred-year-old oak seems a sign of apathy. Such rigid reasoning —a boundary line determining the fate of a historic tree! Would the Civic Trust explain what law decrees that land being subdivided must be stripped of all vegetation? If there is such a law, then surely now is the time to change it. In Australia houses are planned around valuable trees. The excellent article, “Trees and Products,” points out that nowhere else in the Pacific except New Zealand is the land ringed around by a murky strip of silt-laden sea. This, though we are a modem agricultural country, shows little appreciation for the trees that balance our life, land, and economy. Are we so stuck in colonialism that we cannot change our habits, even to preserve one of God’s greatest gifts to man?—Yours, etc. VALERIE J. BARRY. June 28, 1967.

[The chairman of the Christchurch Civic Trust (Mr J. Oakley) replies: “The felling of the historic oak is 'indeed regrettable, but in her

bitter cries of protest Miss Barry seems to have forgotten for the moment at least, our national parks, our extensive Forest Service, and the many public and private organisations throughout New Zealand concerned with the preservation and the planting of trees for practical as well as aesthetic reasons. But Miss Barry raises a very Important isssue. In New Zealand, the owner of the land owns the trees which grow upon it and therefore can do what he pleases with them. There is a desperate need for some legislation which will enable local bodies to control the felling of trees, particularly in our cities where, because of thoughtlessness or vested interests, they are often ruthlessly destroyed. The destruction of trees to make car parks in front of old buildings, and to make room for second-hand car lots, is converting our garden city into a slum. It is indeed a tragedy. We of the Christchurch Civic Trust are fully aware of this crisis in our city and are examining the problem, which is a complex one. We are hopeful that something can be done, and with the support of more people like Miss Barry we may succeed.”]