Flamboyant tree planted
to mark first Tree Day
POND ISLAND--A flamboyant tree, a symbol of the island, was planted Saturday in front of the new Government Administration Building under construction, to mark the first St. Maarten Tree Day.
The tree was planted by youngsters of St. Maarten Archaeological Centre SIMARC with the assistance of Commissioner Sarah Wescot-Williams who unveiled a plaque to mark the planting.
SIMARC Director/resident archaeologist Dr. Jay Haviser, who organised the ceremony, pointed out to the small group of mostly environmentalists that the flamboyant was chosen because of its origins.
Although the tree is found throughout the island, it is endemic of Madagascar and was brought here where it flourished. Like the tree, people of the island came from different parts of the world through the centuries and flourished, he added.
Wescot-Williams commended the SIMARC group and encouraged the members to continue their work in chronicling the heritage and history of the island for present and future generations.
The group’s search for, measuring and recording of the Dutch side’s oldest trees was the basis for a proposal to the Executive Council to approve the annual observations for St. Maarten Tree Day on March 22.
To date, about 160 trees of more than 100 centimetres in diameter, categorised as a Class I – “Historical Patrimony Tree,” have been discovered and recorded for preservation. Under the new Tree Policy, these trees cannot be cut or removed. If done, the violators will be fined NAf. 5,000 and will face prosecution.
Next year, there are plans to coordinate Tree Day Celebrations with the Netherlands, the only other partner in the Dutch Kingdom that marks Tree Day.
