TREES IN THE CITY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26177, 13 June 1946, Page 8

TREES IN THE CITY

Sir, —Trees are a good thing in their place, but their place is not the' city or near houses. Take a drive up Serpentine avenue on a bright, sunny day; it is cold, damp and miserable. I wonder if anyone gets enjoyment out of those trees? Possibly an odd pair of lovers might linger a while in passing through, but the majority of people would want to get out of them as quickly as possible. In Dunedin It is sunshine, not shade, that is wanted. Out of the 365 days in the year it would, I suppose, be a liberal estimate to say there are three days for part of which people would want to sit in the shade, a total of 10 or 12 hours in the year. The Octagon used to be a nice sunny spot, but is now dank and cold Even the clock is invisible because of the trees. ‘ That beautiful building, First Church, is also obscured by trees. What people forget when they plant trees is that they will grow, and keep on growing, ultimately producing excessive shade and damp, blocking roof spoutings and gutters, drains and culverts, and making a mess generally. What should be done with the Octagon? I suggest that every tree be cut down and sawn up for boards and firewood. Let tire sun in. Plant the area with gardens and lawns and erefct plenty of seats sheltered from the wind with clumps of various native shrubs. These trees will go on growing, and there is no doubt will have to come down some day; so why not do it now, No doubt they look beautiful in the spring, but they are hideous in the winter. I recently took a drive through a new suburb of Wellington where there was not a tree, but only low hedges. There was sunshine right round every house. But even there a few people have planted trees which will, in time, keep the sun off their neighbours, if not off themselves.

I have read this letter to several tree enthusiasts, who. although horrified at the idea of cutting a tree down—not tp mention clearing the Octagon—were unable to produce any reason for not doing so, except such generalities that it would be such a pity, and so on.—l am, etc., Dunedin, June 11. Te Ra.