black ebony tree which they say is threatened by Government plans for a bus layby and shelter.

They feel the roots of the tree in Zuill's Park in Smith's Parish may be damaged as building work is done in the park.

The tree, which is more than 100 years old, was planted by the grandfather of area resident Mr. William Zuill.

And his intention for growing the tree was to provide a place of shade and shelter for those walking from St. George's to Hamilton, said Mr. Zuill.

"My grandfather planted that black ebony tree around the 1900's and it has remained there to give shade to anyone using the park,'' Mr. Zuill said.

"It would be terrible for what is being planned to endanger the tree.

"A shelter that is built on the edge of the park would provide a nice entrance to the park and would also provide shelter for people waiting for buses.'' He also said that if it was erected with columns rather than walls then it would not make the traffic visibility problems much worse.

"As I understand it, the new plan is likely to make visibility an even greater problem at that junction.

"I do think that when we have an arm of Government -- the Planning Department -- trying to save open spaces it seems surprising that another arm of Government should be taking them away.

"Sometimes it seems as though the Works and Engineering think that open spaces are meant to be built on.'' Mr. Zuill, a former director of the National Trust, also said he expected that most environmentally concerned people would be concerned about this development.

"It is my understanding that the shelter and the layby will take up some 40 percent of the green area and the roots of the tree will be in danger,'' Mr.

Zuill added.

He also said that the park was also a place where neighbouring children play.

Resident Mr. Edward Cattell said the bus shelter and layby would not cause a problem to the tree.

"The department of Works and Engineering is not going to dig deep enough to affect the tree,'' he said. "I don't think they will damage the tree to any great extent.'' But Bermuda National Trust director Ms Amanda Outerbridge said Zuill's Park "is an important part of out historical landscape.

"It appears the Work and Engineering didn't realise the historical significance of this property.

"It is not one of those slivers of land which gets landscaped when a road is developed.'' Ms. Outerbridge also said it was "very upsetting'' to learn that 40 percent of the park will be turned into a bus shelter and layby.

"The tree will in all likelihood be destroyed. I understand that such work can cause trauma to the roots probably resulting in its demise now or later.'' Works and Engineering highways engineer for construction and maintenance Mr.

Bruce Perinchief said that to his knowledge the shelter "is welcomed by members of the Zuill's Park community''.

"We are taking all the precautions to make sure the tree is safe,'' Mr.

Perinchief said.

He added: "We will hand dig to remove top soil where the roots of the tree are so we don't do any damage. But Agriculture and Fisheries made mention that the tree is probably so old that the roots won't grow any more.

"I don't see how the green space is going to be too affected. The trees will not be affected in any way.'' Mr. Perinchief said: "We are aiming to help the flow of traffic. Buses will be able to pull into the layby so the flow of traffic is not impeded.'' He also said the shelter will protect those people waiting for the bus.

Superintendent of Parks Mr. Peter Truran said the bus layby and sidewalks falls under the highways act and not Planning.

"Our personal feeling is that it is a little green triangle park in Smith's Parish which we would like to retain as an open space. But, it is not up to us.'' He added: "We met there with the department and our concern was what damage they would cause with the root structure of the tree.

"I think they will be fairly careful. After our discussion they said they would hand dig around the roots and remove as much top soil as they can, then backfill with rubble.

"By doing it that way, they shouldn't cause too much damage. However, we are not happy with the bus layby going within that park because we have always regarded it as a park and it should remain so for the enjoyment of the residence who live in the immediate area.

"Furthermore, there is a bus shelter right down the road by Whitney Institute School.'' AT RISK -- Work gets underway at Zuill's Park.