One of the very first scientific facts I remember learning
at school was about our close relationship with trees. Even
at that young age I was impressed by the knowledge that we
breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide while trees
convert carbon dioxide back to oxygen. I have always felt
that our relationship with our planet is essential for our
very existence and trees form an important part of the health
of our planet.
So why do people keep cutting down trees?
I love trees and, having travelled to eastern islands, I am
distressed to see that where the trees have gone the land
is rapidly turning to desert, there are severe water shortages
and people are poor and starving.
I am saddened to find that other people don’t see it.
I once asked a highly regarded tourism figure in Bali what
it was that made Bali a place attractive to visitors.
“The people” he said.
“Yes and what else?”
“The culture.”
“Yes and what else?”
He started to flounder.
“The beaches” I prompted.
“Yes, the beaches” he agreed
“Though they are not the best in the world so what else
is there in Bali?”
He was totally lost now.
“People love volcanoes” I offered. He didn’t
much agree with that.
“One of the most important factors is that this is a
tropical island.” I suggested. Well, yes, he could see
that. “…and the things that make it feel tropical
are the reefs and the vegetation.”
I suggested that if people keep cutting down trees at the
rate they are very soon Bali will not be a tropical paradise
anymore. Sadly he couldn’t understand my point of view
at all.
I live in Sanur and for me one of the most wonderful things
about Sanur is its old trees planted by forward thinking people
many years ago.
Unfortunately in recent years they have been disappearing
one by one. The continual removal of many landmark trees is,
I suggest, destroying Sanur’s greatest asset. The trees
outside the Hyatt, La Taverna and The Village still remain,
thank goodness, but for the most part the main street of Sanur
is steadily becoming hotter and more of a concrete jungle.
By cutting down trees the people are destroying what is their
most important asset, the beauty of Bali. The loss of the
large tree outside the Besakih Hotel was particularly tragic.
So why am I bringing up the subject of trees. The answer is
simple. For many years I have dealt with land developers,
architects and maintenance people who create reasons to justify
cutting down trees. Whether they universally hate trees I
don’t know but it certainly appears that they do. Perhaps
there is some deep seated desire to control rather than work
with the environment, they want trees but only where they
put them.
Land developers nearly always want to clear all the trees
from any land they develop. Trying to persuade them not to
can be very difficult.
This is important to consider if you are building a house
or even adding an extension. Trees grow quickly in Bali but
it will still take 30 or 40 years for them to reach full maturity.
If you have a piece of land with beautiful trees on it try
and work with the trees if you can. If your builder says they
must come down find another builder.
I once met a very switched on architect in Brisbane who would
design his developments around the trees that existed on the
site. When issuing a contract to the contractors he would
include a clause that gave hefty financial penalties for every
tree that was “accidentally” lost. He saved many
beautiful trees, trees that really made his developments very
special. Even then he had a continuous battle trying to get
development contractors to obey his instructions.
Living with trees is not difficult but with a few simple considerations
at the design stage they can cause no problems and provide
a better environment round your home.
• Coconut trees drop coconuts so don’t situate
them near driveways, garages or public areas underneath them.
( I suspect a falling coconut could give you a bit of a headache).
• Tree roots like moisture so pipes should be kept away
from trees unless they are fully sealed plastic pipes.
• Trees drop leaves, consider this when positioning
a swimming pool.
• Old trees may get termites in them so branches may
fall off. Overhanging branches should be checked and removed
if they become dangerous.
• If you cut off an original growth branch and a new
one grows in its place just beware that regrowth branches
are not as strong and are more likely to break off than original
growth.
• Trees overhanging alang - alang (thatched) roofs will
tend to rot the alang – alang fairly quickly.
The other day I walked down a narrow alleyway towards the
beach. It was very hot and dusty made worse by the bare concrete
of the high walls down each side. I turned a corner and found
myself in a beautiful road. It was suddenly cool and shady
under the large trees down each side. The contrast was amazing.
Why do people keep cutting down trees?
Perhaps it’s time we started a tree conservation and
planting program in Bali.
Phil Wilson
Phil Wilson a project director for Focus Indonesia and a partner
of MrFixit property maintenance services. Opinions expressed
are those of Phil Wilson. If you have any questions or comments
related to property maintenance he can be contacted at the
office on 0361 288 789 or through the website at www.mrfixitbali.com
Copyright@2007 Fixed Abode
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