Why is the M&CC killing trees by allowing them to be painted?

Dear Editor,

I noticed something very disturbing yesterday while I was on Brickdam. The trunks of the trees in front of the Brickdam Police Station have been painted in red, white and blue.  This has caused a couple of them to die already and the rest will die in the near future.

Whose bright idea was it, I wonder, to paint the tree trunks.  It might enhance the place but at the same time it is harmful to them. I would like to suggest that in the future, the lamp-posts be painted instead of the trees, as the trees are living things.

This practice has been seen in many parts of the city and I am surprised that both the Mayor and City Councillors and the Environmental Protection Agency have not done anything about this.

Yours faithfully,

(Name and address provided)