Deforestation in my neighbourhood?

Letter from Spencer Hee, Today Online 25 May 09;

There appears to be indiscriminate deforestation at Edgefield Plains in Punggol.

On the way back from the Cove LRT station, I counted at least 13 spots where healthy trees, which were probably growing for about seven to eight years, had been chopped down.

And this was only one side of the road in front of Block 105A. What about the other side in front of Block 111? This has left both sides of the road looking quite “treeless”, where there had been lush greenery previously.

There is always the need to plant more trees to keep the area cool. Now, the spot on the side of the road in front of Block 105A where commuters usually wait for taxis is an unprotected “hot” spot. Can anyone explain why those wonderful, mature trees were so brutally cut down and for what purpose?

Another instance was the hacking off of branches from trees beneath the LRT track. The trees were providing shade and greenery to the estate. The residents should ultimately have a say in the landscaping of the estate. After all, it is our living environment, and residents should be sounded out and their opinions sought before any trees are removed.

Trees had to go
Today Online 2 Jun 09;
Letter from Oh Cheow Sheng
Assistant Director, Streetscape East Branch National Parks Board

WE REFER to the letter from Mr Spencer Hee, “Deforestation in my neighbourhood?” (May 25).

We want to assure Mr Hee that trees along our roadsides will not be removed indiscriminately. Some trees at Edgefield Plains were removed recently because they had structural defects and were in poor form. Regrettably, there is some temporary loss of greenery and shade, but this will be restored as the remaining hardier trees grow.

As for pruning of tree branches beneath the LRT track, this was carried out as part of our regular exercise to manage their growth and maintain their health.

We share Mr Hee’s love for greenery, and thank him for his feedback.

How often are trees checked?
Letter from Max Leong, Today Online 3 Jun 09

I refer to "Trees had to go" (June 2).

I refer to the reply from National Parks Board and would like to ask this: Why were the trees removed in poor form if Edgefield Plains is a young estate? How regular are the “health checks” done on our roadside trees?

It is unlikely their poor form couldn't be salvaged if they had been checked regularly.

Don't just fell a tree, transplant it elsewhere
Letter from Mariann Maes, Today Online 3 Jun 09;

I refer to "Trees had to go" (June 2).

I’m very heartened that many more Singaporeans are now speaking up about protecting Singapore’s greenery, as Mr Spencer Hee had done recently.

Kudos also to the National Parks Board for making stringent reviews on the felling of trees in some situations.

However, what I feel lacking is the onus on the relevant agencies in charge of the land parcels that they occupy. For instance, there was a report of trees being removed at the Sembawang Food Centre, only to be replaced by younger ones after a member of the public questioned the need for the removal.

Mature trees like those felled at the food centre provide more shade and absorb more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere - omething which young saplings can do only many years later. I wonder how the authorities could have allowed such a lapse to occur. The perpetrators should not be so easily let off just because they have replanted the trees. We have become a country constantly facing harsh physical development which will eventually result in many mature trees being removed from our landscape. What I would like NParks to consider gazetting is this: For every tree removed by private contractors or by the occupying authorities of the land parcels, it must be transplanted at a suitable location approved by NParks.