Netizens mourn after a 30-year-old tree is cut down for ‘public safety’, concerns raised over poor urban tree maintenance
A 30-year-old tree has been cut down in the name of “public safety”, prompting an emotional response from a netizen who described the loss as devastating.
In a Threads post, the author expressed frustration over what they believed was poor tree maintenance and management practices.
“I really don’t understand when it comes to preserving trees. Although I am not an arborist, from the way they pollarded our trees, it is a classic example of kerja nak senang dan tak nak manage (easy job and no need to manage),” the user wrote.
The author said the tree had grown alongside their family over three decades and had become a significant part of their environment.
“I have been staying here for 30 years and the trees grew with me and became majestic. It was severely cut down under the disguise of ‘public safety’, when they were never properly maintained since the last maintenance, which was 10 years ago. I am fuming and devastated,” they added.
They also said their mother and neighbours were equally affected by the removal of the tree.
“My mum, neighbour and I are mourning this loss of life because it provided us shade and breeze for the last 30 years. These trees have watched me grow,” the user said.
The post drew similar reactions from other netizens, with one user sharing that a large tree in front of their home had also been cut down without prior notice.
“It feels as if my soul has been torn away,” the commenter wrote, adding that they hoped new trees would grow within the next 30 years to restore shade and wildlife.
“The place feels like a grave for me right now,” they said.
The original poster responded in agreement, saying their home now faces direct sunlight, resulting in increased heat and the loss of bird sounds.
“We won’t hear birds chirping for the next 30 years. So devastated for the loss,” they added.
The discussion also raised broader concerns about urban tree management, with some users questioning the expertise involved in planting and maintaining trees.
“People who plant trees are not specialists and the ones who maintain them are not specialists either. All of this is done by one group of people, the contractorists,” one commenter claimed.
