On Monday, Sept. 2, an “ Eco City” and one designated as “Tree City”, along with Alexandria Public Schools, had a beautiful old oak tree cut down in order to make room for a concession stand at the new TC Williams stadium. Sounds like an article from The Onion, doesn’t it? Obviously, city officials prize monetary gain over environmental awareness. How else can the cutting of the tree be explained?
There are many ironies here – obviously the designation of Alexandria as an Eco City and Tree City are two, but another is that ACPS lost a valuable opportunity to teach TC Williams students about eco-stewardship. Instead, the message which has been sent is that if a tree gets in the way of development, the tree must go.
The author Jodi Thomas has said, “When trees burn, they leave the smell of heartbreak in the air.” I agree and wish to add ,“When a tree is cut down, it leaves the smell of heartbreak in the air.”
Mary Zoeter
Alexandria, VA