Plant Trees To Live
To The Editor:

We have just celebrated Arbor Day and Earth Day. But shouldn't every day be a celebration of our planet's natural beauty and recognizing the importance of taking steps to turn the tide against global warming and pollution?

In order to protect our fragile environment, we need to realize that our trees are our most important natural asset. They clean our air, cool us off on hot days and absorb run off water to prevent flooding to name just a few benefits. Yet, we are losing our tree canopy in our city despite efforts to plant one million trees during the next several decades. What's happening?

Our mature trees are disappearing due to overdevelopment and a cement it all mentality. A large tree is significantly more valuable in terms of processing pollutants than several small trees. Small trees are important but they take decades to reach maturity.

What needs to be done? More effort needs to be taken to preserve and care for our mature tree stock, even those on private property. In many communities across the country, a permit must be obtained before a large tree can be removed. New York City should follow suit in order to dissuade people from destroying healthy trees and to provide a healthier environment for us all.

When new homes are built, a mature tree must be viewed as an asset to preserve whenever possible, not a nuisance to be eradicated. Trees increase the value of a property.

Severe pruning endangers the health and stability of our trees. Utility companies must take care to preserve the shape and beauty of our trees when they come through clearing the wires off branches.

Our city itself sends out mixed messages about trees. Our present administration wants to plant a million trees, yet they are considering cutting down a forest of trees at the Ridgewood Reservoir for an ill conceived project. Likewise, dozens of trees have been removed on Randall's Island for another project.We see it over and over again.

The Long Island Rail Road committed arborcide along their right of way to prevent leaves from blowing onto their rails. It did not work. The wind carries leaves from distances away. Whose brainstorm was that plan?

We are our own worst enemy when it comes to ruining our environment. We use all kinds of poisons on our lawns and gardens. On television, we see people spraying toxic materials to get rid of a few weeds along a sidewalk. A good pull would remove the weeds safely! The chemical companies profit at our folly.

We find the city and other agencies using herbicides along roadsides and railway lines to "control" vegetation when there are safer alternatives. And then we wonder why the cancer rates are so high. There must be a connection.

Our actions affect everyone around us. As the saying goes, "Think globally, act locally." We must continue to plant new trees and other vegetation, preserve existing mature trees and avoid using dangerous herbicides and pesticides that threaten our well-being. Henry Euler Bayside