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'It's like some people have declared war on trees?' Resident

A resident of the Virgin Islands, Antonia O’Neal, made a post on the BVI Community Board reminding that the two Samanea saman trees in front of Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall on Station Road are not only beautiful but are nearly a hundred years old. Photo: Facebook
What remained of the tree that was cut down near the Roundabout Gas Station on September 3, 2016. Photo: VINO/File
What remained of the tree that was cut down near the Roundabout Gas Station on September 3, 2016. Photo: VINO/File
The Facebook post by Antonia O'Neal. Photo: Facebook
The Facebook post by Antonia O'Neal. Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Ever since a large tree was suddenly cut down near the Roundabout Gas Station in Road Town, much to the disappointment of many, persons seem to be very concerned about the fate of other trees in the capital city, some said to be almost a century old.

The tree, which was also somewhat of a landmark and which provided shade for many persons, including many persons from the Dominican Republic who congregate there to seek day jobs or work for longer periods, was cut down on September 3, 2016.

It is not yet clear who ordered the tree cut down and why.

And today, September 13, 2016, a resident of the Virgin Islands, Antonia O’Neal, made a post on the BVI Community Board reminding that the two Samanea saman trees in front of Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall on Station Road are not only beautiful but are nearly a hundred years old.

“Road Town has some beautiful old trees and among the most beautiful are the two samans growing in front of the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall and the royal palms on the other side of the street. All of them are estimated to be almost 100 years old and were probably planted when the area was actually the government's Experimental Agricultural Station. (Just posting to give the history in case anyone is thinking of cutting them down.)”

Ms O’Neal’s post was favourably received by persons who said it was unimaginable that persons would think about cutting down those trees.

Karen Vella Freeman said: “Wow, we pass them everyday, who knew. Thank you. I don't think they will ever think of cutting them down. As you see we go around the one in front of the police station.”

Annie Muirhead commented: “Let's hope not! They are spectacular trees.”

Joanne Penney said: “Having lost the beautiful, very old Lignum Vitae trees in front of the original airport terminal when they were removed (unnecessarily) to build the new terminal - and many, many glorious friends since - it is wise to keep a sharp eye out and spread the alarm if one sees the imminent demise of our living, breathing, leafy friends. There are trees cut down quite frequently for no essential reason and/or with no consideration of an alternative approach. Thanks for posting this, Antonia.”

War on trees declared?

Ms O’Neal replied: “Yes, indeedy, Joanne. I was appalled at the mutilation of the ones along the road from Bobby's to ScotiaBank and then at the latest removal near the RT roundabout. And don't forget the samans once lined that whole road by the Briercliffe Hall. What a beautiful tree-lined avenue that would have been if they'd been left alone. It's almost like some people have declared war on trees.”

Richard Land noted: “I really cannot believe this is a consideration. They are monument in themselves and should be protected for the beauty and grace, history and biodiversity amongst their branches. I really hope this is a wind up or some sort of joke.”

Ms O'Neal then said she was posting just in case “anybody thinks of cutting them down. Several trees have been lost because nobody ever thought they'd be cut down and so never said anything about the need to preserve them. With these trees, at least, I'm trying to make sure people know why they should be preserved.”

29 Responses to “'It's like some people have declared war on trees?' Resident”

  • pat (13/09/2016, 17:23) Like (0) Dislike (44) Reply
    Set of tree lovers whoke children go to bed hungry
    • laughing (13/09/2016, 20:35) Like (22) Dislike (1) Reply
      @pat, what are you trying to say? And, what is a whoke? Yeah, and I am a tree lover.
    • pat (14/09/2016, 13:18) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
      and here is WHY one should not take another person's ID. This comment is not to be confused with others I have posted.
      Trees are the lifeline of the environment creating not only shade and housing for birds, they made oxygen, and filter air. (and if fruit trees were planted, children won't have to go to bed hungry!) They are stately and tell a history as much as a good building does. There are complete tree departments in many northern cities who do nothing but protect, trim and plant more trees. This is a travesty. And I dare say an opposite view of the other Pat-- this is how confusion starts.
  • Trees (13/09/2016, 17:56) Like (29) Dislike (0) Reply
    Help to reduce pollution, and they are as well, apart of the sum of the whole natural cycle of life. Keep messing around with mother nature and experience how we will all soon destruct. Leave the trees alone.
  • vi (13/09/2016, 19:06) Like (24) Dislike (0) Reply
    I remember walking from baughers bay to road town everyday to school and those trees (some of which have been destroyed years ago) were shades for many of us who walked to and from school. Never understood why they were cut down because they were not obstructing anything
  • concerned citizen (13/09/2016, 20:43) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    Trees are to be saved. However, they should be replaced before they cause serious problems. This is a true story.
    There was a very large tree standing next to Myetts at Cane Garden Bay. One day at 12:05 p.m we heard a loud crash school children who were walking across that same path had to run for their lives. You see the tree that appeared to be healthy was rotten to the core inside. That tree was also a prized lank mark.
    My suggestion is check those aged trees and replace them with young seedlings.
  • ........ (13/09/2016, 20:48) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    One case among many....more investigations required.
    One Love!
  • Yes (14/09/2016, 00:43) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Is that "JAN" with that axe?
  • Solution man (14/09/2016, 03:54) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    It was unfortunate that a decision to cut the tree at the gas station in Road Town was made but I believe with roots in tact it will grow up again. What is needed in the interim is a solution to the growing problem where the unemployed/under employed would congregate in the middle of our tourism oriented town hauling old office furniture to the site for seating and even appearing topless on some days. It reflects bad on the BVI tourism product. Concerning the trees on the Scotia Bank , Bobbys Supermarket drive we should appreciate that those trees need to be occasionally pruned (not mutilated) as they are planted in sand (no rocks to anchor on) and would topple and die if left to grow continuously. This is especially necessary prior to active hurricane seasons. If you truly love the trees you would agree that the pruning is a very logical solution to their survival.
    • VIlander (14/09/2016, 14:01) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
      It doesn't reflect bad on tourism it happens everywhere. Orlando has the samething and we all go there with no problem & they are also a tourism based economy. Ever go to Home Dept or Lowes in any state? The samething happens there b/c where there is a need there is a market. Maybe if the Labour dept was useful or if there was temp/day labour service in the BVI. The well used to do that before it became the hangout spot for just a certain crowd who maintained from the old days. Typical BVI small mindedness
      • @ VIlander (14/09/2016, 21:37) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
        So if I understand you correctly any foolishness that us tolerated in Orlando is ok to tolerate here in the BVI?????. Don't even answer cause your logic confuses me. Honestly!!!
  • John (14/09/2016, 04:35) Like (7) Dislike (6) Reply
    If the people who gathered under that tree are here illegally, why not send them home? Now they have moved to another tree. Are we going to cut down all the trees to get rid of illegal aliens and is this the work of Ms Ritter-Freeman... we really do have the educated in charge. This couldn't have been St Thomas back in the day. What, all the illegal aliens together in one spot; that would be a cake walk for their immigration. But our "educated" leaders lack the intelligence to see this. Why make fools of us all?
    • True (14/09/2016, 11:08) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      @John, in the States, charges can be brought against a person if they cut down a tree without permission. Every time I pass by the tree that was cut down I feel sad. The tree will be missed. Call me crazy, but I have love and respect for nature.
  • peter pan (14/09/2016, 06:02) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    If they are illegal, the INS should have removed them from under the tree. The tree was a landmark. So cutting down the tree was the way to solve the problem?
  • ...... (14/09/2016, 07:07) Like (2) Dislike (16) Reply
    War on trees? Come on now...silly topic. Since when are we concerned about providing a hangout spot for immigrants, some of whom are here illegally??
  • .......... (14/09/2016, 07:19) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Those trees by the Cultural Center are not almost 100 years old. They are 100s of years old.
  • nature plan (14/09/2016, 08:49) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    don't chop me down,just trim me and tidy me up .that's all.
  • VIlander (14/09/2016, 09:16) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    War against nature/trees/GOD is plain out evil. The evil controlling them so it won't make sense and they will chop down more
  • Trees (14/09/2016, 11:01) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    Please don't come and just chop me down for personal reasons or because you are mad. I provide oxygen, shade and coverage from heavy winds during hurricane season. I may not be able to say it but, when you use a chainsaw on my bark to cut me down, I feel pain.
  • save the trees (14/09/2016, 11:17) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    not the dangerous sharks
  • healing of the nation (14/09/2016, 11:18) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Babylon cutting down the tree of life every chance that they get that's why we broke today.
  • SHAME (14/09/2016, 12:13) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Tree killers, one day you will pay for helping to destroy nature. Save the trees.
  • cnn (14/09/2016, 12:35) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    tree tree go away this is my building day
  • yall slow (14/09/2016, 14:35) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    Yall aint see people hurting and people gonna start cutting down all the trees to make coal.
  • Dim Sum (14/09/2016, 14:48) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    TPO - Tree Protection Orders; this is nothing new to the developed world so why cant the same be done here? I remember as a young man when they cut down all those Mahogany trees that lined the road up at HLSCC. That was a crying shame and the timber was not even used for some purpose. Why isn't TCP and the other relevant government departments looking at preservation and conservation rather than just doing nothing!!!?!?
  • Where are all the Botanists in the country? (14/09/2016, 15:49) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why are they not saying anything, or educating the people about this growing concern? What is their position on this?
  • look (14/09/2016, 21:09) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Bunch of cold hearted people. Up to now no one is claiming responsibility or saying who give the order to cut down the tree. Whoever you are, you mess with nature and nature is going to holler back at you real soon. you destroyed a
    landmark.

  • Scary Mary (15/09/2016, 06:26) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    I'd like to know why there was no protest heard when some idiot chopped down the lovely Banyan tree at the foot of Zion Hill Road last year? The one just kitty corner to Sebastians By The Sea where a new parking lot was built. A PARKING LOT my friends! That tree was HUNDREDS of years old - and was gone just like that!

    FOOLS!


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