Saaman tree danger in South

One of the places this tree is found is in the Third Company Cemetery, opposite Perry Young Road, Indian Walk. Many people seek its shelter on the occasion of funerals.

Unfortunately, that tree is covered with the epiphytic pine. Those pines act as containers/ reservoirs for water whenever it rains. That is additional weight the long, near horizontal branches must carry.

That is a potential hazard to life and limb since branches could come crashing down.

An example of this possible catastrophe was seen three weeks ago and was well reported in the dailies after a milkwood tree fell across the road, disrupting electricity, telephone and cable services. Houses and vehicles were also damaged. I call on the relevant authority to be proactive and clear the saaman tree of its unsightly parasite and please do not wait on some disaster to occur.

Ironically, all the agencies that the owner of the milkwood tree repeatedly asked for help, to no avail, were most present when the tree came crash. Let not that scenario play out again.

SAHADEO RAGOONANAN via email