Getting to the root

TREES are critical to our survival.

 

Therefore, we must commend all efforts to plant and preserve trees on our island, recognising that they give us oxygen, store carbon, stabilise the soil and support wildlife.

 

However, time and time again, we are reminded in very painful ways that we have to be more conscious about where we plant trees and also where they are allowed to grow.

 

Realistically, we can’t just let a seed drop anywhere or just put a plant in the nearest open space and think that all is well.

 

The reality is that many trees have a poor root system, just perched on a rock or shallow soil, and come crashing down when there is heavy rainfall or high winds.

 

The most recent reminder came as Tropical Storm Matthew in September, gave us a glancing blow or back in 2002 when Tropical Storm Lili brought some high gusts and rainfall, tipping over countless trees and sent rooftops flying in the process.

 

Officials from the National Conservation Commission have repeatedly cautioned persons about the dangers of not planting the right trees on their properties, which could have an adverse impact if they fall, as well as the root systems which could destroy a house’s foundation. The officials advocate that they should be pruned regularly. 

 

If memory serves correctly, they actually offer this service to property owners. They also warn that wood ants compromise trees and what we may think is a solid trunk or branch, might literally be a shell of a tree which could fall at any moment.

 

The Barbados Light & Power can be seen diligently cutting branches that are growing dangerously close to, have grown through or over power lines.

 

One area which I believe cannot be overlooked is the overgrowth of what we know as River Tamarind trees that are overhanging sections of our highway. While I’m informed they are a good source of nutrients to cattle and grow quite quickly, we must not ignore the dangers associated with these trees which literally can grow and thrive anywhere, with very little rainfall. So if we look at the sections of the highway from Hinds Hill to Warrens and from Warrens to Hothersal, we can see trees creating a nice green canopy.

 

However, if you take a closer look, you will see that these trees are on the verge of falling over and their roots are lifting from the ground. Heaven forbid that they fall when a vehicle is passing or fall on one of the countless pedestrians and persons going about their daily exercise routine on that stretch. 

 

In fact, as Barbados was gearing up for the passage of Tropical Storm Matthew, one of those trees fell across the highway. Luckily no one was injured and vehicles were able to drive around it. We shudder to think of the damage and quite possibly the loss of life that could have resulted from this falling tree.

 

So the owners of the property, be it private or the Crown, must ensure that we stay on top of these areas not only as it relates to keeping areas de-bushed, but ensuring that trees in particular, don’t critically injure or tragically kill someone because they were not given due care and attention.