Every municipality should protect trees

Re: “Victoria’s vanishing trees,” July 28.

As a photographer and artist, I have been alarmed at the rate at which many mature trees and heritage species have been obliterated from the local landscape.

Almost every day, I witness a fresh tree stump where a beautiful tree filled with birds and teeming with life once stood. Most often, it’s on municipal, city, provincial or federally maintained property without public consultation.

This report confirms that we have lost sight of how vital trees are to the overall health and wellness of our communities and the environment as a whole.

Did you know that one tree is home to 10,000 living things?

Trees store carbon and help regulate global warming.

Trees clean the air and soil and store harmful pollutants.

Trees increase neighbourhood pride and real-estate values.

Trees provide habitat for animals and birds, food, shelter, shade, beauty and serenity.

Without trees, the earth would uninhabitable.

I suggest every municipality should start taking stock of their trees and be mindful of the cutting done on their behalf, as it won’t be long before we look like every other city. Frances Litman Victoria