Editor:
The recent felling of five ancient trees, in the range of 500 years old, was an act of senseless destruction.
These trees, in Roberts Creek, had diameters of approximately 1.37 metres. These trees were in the forest and could not logically be considered a danger to anyone. It is true there was some rot in the upper parts of two of the trees, however the stumps and lower sections were alive and strong. Further more, in terms of wildlife habitat, dead trees are more important than live ones. When these old trees die from the top down they also fall from the top down. Over a period of many years a pile of debris and bark forms around the base of the snag. These debris piles and bark slabs form the preferred habitat of amphibians and some small mammals. These trees can live for over 1,000 years, and then still be valuable habitat for another 1,000 years after they die.
Amphibians are very sensitive animals and are declining rapidly on a world wide basis.
If trees like these were in Europe they would be considered as valuable as their ancient cathedrals. In Canada they are destroyed simply because someone can make money by killing them.
I would not object to felling an old tree that was truly endangering someone, however in this case the only true reason for felling them was obviously because someone could make money by felling them.
Rick O'Neill
Roberts Creek
