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To the editor:
Have you observed that recently our state and county highway crews have been removing significantly copious quantities of both evergreen and deciduous trees along our roadways?
I have been observing this activity with alarm, disgust and curiosity. I am very disturbed by this seemingly unnecessary, indiscriminate elimination of living trees. Trees are nature's own air conditioner, purifying our air. Trees provide sequestration of carbon by safely removing carbon monoxide from the air and through the process of photosynthesis convert that into oxygen and water. Trees also provide sanctuary for wildlife. Sometimes they also provide food for wildlife. And, lastly, their dense root mass systems are key to erosion control.
Where the crews have not completely removed the trees, they have left what is termed by professionals such as myself "bloody stubs." These hideous heavy branches and naked stumps have absolutely no prospect of regenerating beneficial foliage. In fact, these "bloody stubs" are a perfect invitation for disease and insect infestations. The highway departments are deliberately proliferating plant diseases and insect infestations.
Is it not critical enough that our trees are in peril from Emerald Ash Borer, Spotted Lantern Fly and Gypsy Moth? Now we have the state deliberately, without credible reason, destroying even more trees! The crews who leave the mutilated skeletons of what were living trees are nothing more than heartless, indiscriminate butchers.
Our tax dollars are being foolishly expended for this dubious endeavor to harm the environment. These same moneys would have been more wisely expended for the purpose of planting trees, not killing them!
There are even blatant examples of discrimination in selecting where these removals occur. Example in point is that on Parkway in East Liverpool Township, there was a beautiful approximately 10-foot high hedge of Euonymus Alatus on a private residential property that was reduced to 18-inch sticks.
This hedge was for many years a noise and dirt filter for the owner. Interestingly enough, a similar hedge directly across the road belonging to the country club was left unmolested. Why? Was there some payoff? Yes, I do not trust public employees or their supervisors.
You may ask what is it that gives me the right to openly call into question this tree-cutting activity? I have over 50 years experience in the nursery and landscape industry. I have been trained in the art of proper pruning practices. I am college educated in an aligned field and a certified professional landscape designer. Licensed pesticide applicator, etc.
I am not a "tree hugger." But when I see what our government is doing to the environment while concurrently trying to ram electric vehicles down our throats, I do find this revolving.
G.J. McCullough "Skip" APLD,
Owner, Meadowbrook Nursery & Landscape,
Lisbon.