The Environmental Land-

scapes Consortium (ELC) said it has examined znuber trees planted along Salina Road and most were found to be growing well, though there was a yellowing of the leaves. It was to be expected that some would be lost but that was because their new climatic conditions were totally new and were unlike the protected environment the trees had in the nursery.

The trees needed some time to adjust, but that was normal, the ELC said. It so happened that shortly after planting there was a bad storm and strong winds. This and sea spray would have caused the discolouration of leaves but experience showed that such damage was temporary. The trees should recuperate when the weather settles.

There was no sufficient scientific evidence or information at present to conclude reliably that the cause of any damage to the trees was coming from gases issuing from Maghtab, though that was possible. But the fact that there were already trees of the same species growing in the area suggested the newly planted trees would survive.