GIVE THE TREES A CHANCE

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 7, 8 July 1935, Page 8

GIVE THE TREES A CHANCE

<To the Editor.)

I Sir, —There has been a considerable amount of discussion lately in your paper and also at various •. organisations, concerning the beautification of our city and suburbs by planting trees. I have a statement to make, and defy any person to prove it wrong. In the last few years a considerable amount of tree planting has taken place, especially on the wind-swept hills round Wellington. They have been planted (certain areas) in pines and firs and just simply left to fight out an existence that' would be fought much harder if the noxious weeds and thick grass were cleared away from the base of the plant. This is what is happening | to nearly all of the plantations planted jon the hijls of Wellington. Any wouldbe disputer, kindly take a walk up Farnham Street and see the plantation on the left of the street and notice the trees there just about choked with weeds and grass, growing- and twining round the plant. There are a few nikau palms growing there also, which, too, are nearly choked dead. Then let the inquirer continue up Liardet Street and get on to Hutchinson Road, and see the condition of the plantations there. Certainly they are growing, but they would grow much better and not so stunted if they were cleared of weeds. Why talk of further beautification; see that our present beauty spots are looked after and then perhaps think of .further work. Two things cannot be done successfully at once.—l am, etc., G. A. R. WILSON.