Letter: Get rid of the trees? Absolutely not

It is extremely amusing to read letters complaining about trees on Hilton Head Island and the need to remove them.

The writers seem to think that the trees are a recent addition, or some nuisance that is easily disposed of.

Please understand the nature of a barrier island. It starts out as sand spit. Over time as the sand continues to accumulate, it adds more high ground and ground cover, including trees, and becomes a habitat for birds and small animals. As the ecosystem flourishes and the island grows in size, it becomes attractive to increasingly larger animals, and finally man.

Hilton Head Island was developed specifically as a community that partnered with nature. The attraction of this island paradise is still the beauty and majesty of our natural environment, especially our trees. They provide habitat for many of our beloved birds and animals, as well as shelter from the sun during the hot summer months.

Losing so many is heartbreaking. Suggesting that we need to clear cut Hilton Head Island is ridiculous.

If trees bother you, move to some place that doesn’t have them. Don’t try to change what we all love about the island. The trees have been here much longer than we have and we need to respect that. After all, without them we end up as just another sand spit.

This story was originally published November 21, 2016 at 8:42 AM with the headline "Letter: Get rid of the trees? Absolutely not."