The Editorial
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You know we really are "a weird mob."
Just as the 1960's movie about Australia suggested - we really are quite strange.
Only a few short years ago anyone who dared touch a tree in this country was all-but publicly flogged.
Now we are cutting them down almost willy-nilly.
Admittedly. there have been some tragic accidents regarding falling tree limbs, but do we really have to make more rules and regulations to prevent the million-to-one chance from happening?
Surely we can't chop down every tree in the country.
By all means call in arborists to check trees in high traffic areas such as schools, parks and camping grounds, but do they all have to be lopped off at the stump?
Wagga Public School is the latest to fall victim to this latest scourge.
Seven silky oaks are destined to go.
They have all stood tall for more than 100 years, yet after Easter they will be all-but a memory.
And worst of all they will, in all reality, be replaced by shade sails.
Oh please!
Hasn't anyone heard of pruning?
In the 1970s Wagga High's famous gum tree was destined to go, but after an outcry it was successfully cut back and still stands to this day.
Accidents are always going to happen and yes we should do everything in out power to prevent them.
But a jet liner disappeared a month ago over Asia with 200 people on board - and we are all still flying.
The key word in all this is moderation.
Let's not destroy every tree in every schoolyard across Australia.
Inspecting and pruning them is fine, but just maybe, felling them should be the last option rather than the first.