Tree stripping

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Published on Saturday, May 14, 2016

By Jessie Bell

Submitted article

Long strips of trees have recently been destroyed in farmland along the west side of Hwy. 270 south of the CN rail line. Gone is that shield of protection against erosion, the loss of stored moisture and minerals, all for a free run by today’s wide farming equipment. One farmer was asked why so many trees were being cut down; his reply was, “Trees are okay in their place.” Another reply was, “I pay taxes on that property and I can do whatever I want with it.”

A call to the provincial agricultural office resulted in the fact a permit is required for stubble burning but not against the destruction of trees. We have to help stop the destruction of trees. I can’t help but be reminded of this Joyce Kilmer (1886-1918) poem I learned as a child, simple titled, Trees.

I think that I shall never see a poem lovely as a tree. 

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest against the earth's sweet flowing breast; 

A tree that looks at God all day and lifts her leafy arms to pray; 

A tree that may in summer wear a nest of robins in her hair; 

Upon whose bosom snow has lain; who intimately lives with rain. 

Poems are made by fools like me, but only God can make a tree.

Open field sloughs collect moisture from spring thaws and rain, water that would otherwise find its way into ditches, rivers and lakes, carrying field fertilizer and other chemicals. John Fefchak of Virden area has for years been writing news articles about the danger of water contamination. Hopefully some government officials will soon seriously take action on water drainage.