Nature Trust (Malta) has said in a statement today that it is particularly concerned for the lack of respect towards trees in the Maltese Islands in present times. Over the last years, the Maltese Islands have seen a wave of vandalism against trees. “For instance, trees were chopped down in our villages and towns such as Paola, Zebbug and other areas, heavy unnecessary pruning and new EU funded roads without any green planning.”

“Trees not only contribute to a feeling of peace in the local countryside and villages but help improve air quality, act as noise buffers, serve as a refuge for many migratory and local species of birds, and aid to retain soil, amongst other benefits,” NTM said.

On the occasion of Arbor Day, the organisation appeals to the authorities to show more respect to trees. “New roads should be embellished with trees and where possible authorities should encourage the planting of indigenous trees. Maltese towns and villages should be made greener, such as the case with other towns and cities in EU countries, for instance, Barcelona and Rome, to mention but two examples.”

NTM said it also appeals to the general public “to appreciate the benefits of trees. Many times it has been reported that trees are cut down simply because they obstruct a view, often forgetting that trees are there to embellish the area; therefore, they are part of the scenery, and they help us to keep the air cleaner. Clean air is something the islands badly need, especially in urban areas where traffic is always remarkably high in pollution, a phenomenon which is the order of the day at the detriment of our health.”

The NGO “encourages garden centres involved in the embellishment of local roads, to start growing and using indigenous trees and shrubs from local stock, and not from imported stock from near by Mediterranean countries. These not only help to preserve the Maltese character, but also avoid the risks of imported alien invasive species of plants, and pests which in the past years have spelled out destructions to indigenous palm trees, rosemary, pine trees, and mulberries amongst others.

“A much less noticeable but a real problem is genetic pollution from foreign Mediterranean stocks of trees and shrubs. These cross-pollinate with local wild populations, and hence endanger their genetic uniqueness to the local archipelago. Moreover, this would reduce transport pollution and the costs of importation, the latter serving as an example of a small-scale pro-active measure towards sustainability.”

NTM continued by saying that it notes with appreciation that apart from NGO’s, the Tree For You’ campaign has over the years been promoting tree planting in our islands. In the last years, a large number of trees have been planted in several areas, and this is remarkably encouraging.

The NGO said it urges the public and the private sector to contribute their small share in greening the Maltese islands with indigenous trees. NTM has been running the Adopt A Tree campaign since the year 2000, through which over 40, 000 trees have been planted. All trees and shrubs are grown from local seeds. Furthermore it is also running an international educational programme in schools Learning About Forests LEAF which is in parallel with the EkoSkola Programme run by the same NGO

Finally NTM sad that it “appeals to the political parties to include tree protection measures in their electoral campaigns so as to make Malta greener, improve air quality, improve respiratory health and make local towns and villages more attractive for the citizens and tourists alike.”

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