A visitor left a comment to my last post about the Town of Davie ripping down Australian Pine trees because they were “invasive” trees. I appreciate the comment and respect their right to hold a different view. Hell, most people on this planet hold a view about things different than me. But I wonder if the situation may simply be that they have been lied to? Perhaps this post will bring some evidence into the picture to counter the supposed fact that Australian Pine trees are useless and even dangerous to our environment.

In Florida, there are few trees as beautiful as 100 foot Australian Pine Trees. I grew up in the 50’s under their beautiful shade. And yes, the trees were filled with birds. To this day, the single most soulful and beautiful sound I know is the Florida wind whispering through the needles of this majestic tree.

I used to go to Markham Park in Broward, because the western side was a forest of Australian Pines. It was beautiful, a wonderful place to hike or picnic, and a place to observe the birds and wildlife. I never go to Markham Park any more, and never will. They have cut down all the trees, and now all you have left is vacant land. No wildlife. No birds. Ugly and depressing. Not going there ever again. That is an improvement????

Another park I would love to visit is John U. Lloyd Beach State Park. Until they ripped out the beautiful Australian Pines. You know, somehow I connect parks with trees. Maybe I’m nuts here. But a park without trees sucks.

I will admit that the Australian Pine Tree has negative qualities as well as positive qualities. Just like any tree~! Find me a tree that has no negative qualities at all! So, the theory that non-native trees are dangerous is hogwash. They are trees, and like any tree they offer benefits and negatives.

Again, I remind you that the boundary line between “native” and “non-native” is the atmosphere. If a tree or bush is on the planet, it is in it’s native environment. Government can’t draw imaginary lines all over the planet and say anything that crosses this line is now “invasive”. This is just mankind being mankind. Arrogance and greed.

The reality as I believe it, is that this idea may have originally had a good intent. But once government gets involved, it becomes a means to a retirement. All government is corrupt. And there are tree cutters and other businesses that profit from this mess.

What is invasive and harmful to our environment and indeed, our health, is the concrete that government and business are pouring all over what once was trees and grass. I’m not 100% sure, but I don’t think concrete is a native substance. They build giant shopping and office centers, and even though years later there remains space un-rented, they build a new shopping center down the road! Home Depot in Pembroke Pines has relocated their giant nature killing warehouses no less than three times in 12 years. And each time, they took a natural piece of ground, with grass and bushes and trees and they poured concrete over it. If the traffic pattern changes and they might earn an extra dollar by moving across the street, they will do it.

Do you want to know what is really non-native and invasive? Home Depot, Lowes, Wal-Mart, and the other gigantic warehouse stores with acres and acres of concrete parking for nitwits to park their over priced gas guzzling, environment ruining mock military vehicles. (Hummers).

So, I’m not going to support eradication of Australian Pines until they stop pouring concrete over grass.

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