Letter: Get rid of the pines

Maybe we need some good ole south Georgia common sense. Pine trees are a crop. They have a limited life — maybe up to 30 years. Other than serving as building materials, they have bad issues.

They are ugly, they are very messy, they become missiles in the wind, and when they fall they destroy. So, if it’s not a bird sanctuary, why is a “tree-hugger official” in each neighborhood not being charged with negligence now? Once we built all our houses here, we should have taken some precaution to protect our property. God will take care of the birds. That’s very clear in the Bible.

I spent the past 10 years mad at the pine trees. I have some credentials because my family in west and south Georgia was in the lumber business. I will admit that my chief personal complaint was being in the woods with a pine tree obstructing my shot or a pine cone next to my golf ball. Many golfers will attest that I predicted disaster if and when a big “blow” hit Hilton Head Island. What percentage of the damage was caused by pine trees?

Anyway, Yankees, there are decorative trees that will look great on our island as we rebuild. But the redneck in me says, get rid of pines sooner than later. Let’s not do this again. Protecting turtles is cool, protecting pine trees, not cool. Ask Hilton Head residents what their bank accounts think about pine trees right about now.

This story was originally published November 10, 2016 at 8:55 AM with the headline "Letter: Get rid of the pines."