Dear editor:

Change the surroundings, change the experience. My first visit to Niagara-on-the-Lake, my husband and I drove in from the highway. Everything looked much like anywhere else. Until we crossed Mary Street.

Suddenly the road was shaded by the spreading branches of huge old trees. We relaxed. This felt special; the historic town we’d looked forward to.

Later, as we strolled the tree shaded streets, we were delighted when the sidewalk on Simcoe, near Prideaux curved respectfully around the giant roots of an ancient tree. Clearly this was a town which honoured these noble trees.

Old Town’s trees relax us. Tourists love them. But the benefits of our leafy companions go far beyond aesthetics.

Currently, a movement across North America promotes the benefits of more trees. Six-hundred thousand in Mississauga have already been planted, with a goal of one million.

Not only do they reduce noise pollution and purify the air, they improve our mental and physical health. Marc Berman, the world’s leading environmental neuroscientist, in his book “Nature And The Mind,” correlates planting more trees on a street, with a reduction in heart attacks and stroke of up to 23 per cent.

If residents of NOTL cut down a tree, we are required to replace it. Clearly this is a town which understands the importance of trees to both residents and tourists.

Why then, does the town plan to cut down 41 giant shade trees at the main entrance to Old Town, as the road approaches the golf course?

We all agree that the potholed road needs repair, but is it not possible to work around our ancient neighbours? Do we really need a bike path either side?

Change the surroundings, change the experience. Once these glorious shade trees are gone, the entrance to Old Town will be just like anywhere else.

Valmai Howe Elkins
NOTL