Damage to trees

Press, 26 January 1988, Page 12

Damage to trees

Sir,—l disagree with the statement from a Hagley Park staff member about the causes of the wind damage to trees in the recent storm. I feel that the claim that the large amount of damage was due to “sappy growth” resulting from a warm moist summer is specious. This year’s growth may be greater than normal, but this does not account for large limbs and whole trees breaking up. I would contend that the cause lies with the long history of neglect of our heritage of fine trees in the park. This is not to decry the efforts of the one arborist employed but, rather, to question the management decisions that spend a minute part of the budget of the park on the dominant and characteristic feature, the trees. It is perhaps a reflection on the training and background of those responsible that the flowerbeds of pretty annuals receive more attention than the enduring beauty and splendour of the trees.—Yours, etc.,

D. J. HOLLAND. January 21, 1988.