Saddened by subdued protest | South China Morning Post

AS a visitor from the UK greatly interested in the preservation of trees, I was interested to read in Ecowatch (South China Morning Post, March 1) about the banyan trees under threat in Happy Valley.

Where I live in Epping in Essex, we put TPOs (tree preservation orders) on trees of merit. These banyans, because of their age would certainly qualify and are only touched if given permission from the District Council.

Of course with large sums of money at stake and with Hongkong's attitude to materialism, one is cynical of the Jockey Club's attitude.

The planting of new trees is not necessarily a good idea as they have a habit of dying or being ''forgotten'' on completion of the building.

It's sad that only eight protests were received - remember ''once removed - gone forever'' and although Ecowatch highlighted their plight I feel the overall tenure was one of no hope.

JACQUELINE SMITH Ambleside, Epping, UK

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