We are gardeners, not possessors

Besides the chopping down of trees every now and then for various reasons, I am concerned with the way trees are trimmed periodically in Singapore. I use the word “trimmed”, although not only are small branches lopped off, but major ones are, too.

I have observed this overkill over the decades. Trees that were violently trimmed became stunted in growth after that, growing at a fraction of their former rate. Apart from that, residents are deprived of much of the shade provided by the trees’ former luxuriant foliage.

Trees are living things, which should be treated with respect and tenderness, especially when they are beneficial to us. If we treat nature properly, we would be blessed by it in ways we may not know.

Our government has done wonderfully to make Singapore a green city by planting and maintaining trees and flowering plants across the island. Given that trees are under the State’s jurisdiction, it seems right that the authorities can look after them in any way they see fit.

However, I request a review of the manner in which they are being treated, like inanimate possessions to own and discard with abandon. Humans do not own nature, be it a tree or flowering plant. At best, we are gardeners, not possessors.