TO THE EDITOR:

Thank you so much for the recent addition of a column by Loran Smith. I have enjoyed all of his writings and especially the one about trees. I can relate to his feelings about having to cut down a tree. It is almost like losing a friend. In the past few years I have had to remove several large trees, some of which I set out about forty-five years ago.

I think of all the years it has taken for the tree to reach this point in its life and wonder how many of us consider the many benefits of a growing tree. I feel we should never remove a tree without planting one to replace it.

I look forward to Loran Smith's future columns and appreciate this addition to our News-Reporter.

Ruth D. Rogers