Bermuda's tree population.

The Governor Lord Waddington shovelled the first soil onto the roots of the Olivewood tree in Par-La-Ville Road, Hamilton.

And the road is to get 12 more trees in future months making it a beacon for Plant A Tree '93.

Plant A Tree '93 has been organised by Keep Bermuda Beautiful, the National Trust and the Garden Club. Its sponsor and main supporter is the Bank of Butterfield.

KBB President Mrs. Kendaree Burgess Fairn said: "We are here to plant a tree, a Bermudian endemic -- the Olivewood; the first on Par-La-Ville Road. It is also part of an on-going programme that will help to reverse a trend.

"Trees have been part of our lives since the first man. They've been around for more than three million years and they have helped to feed us, shelter and warm us, and provide the kind of spiritual comfort and inspiration.

"And how did we react to this benefit to mankind? For thousands of years we destroyed the huge tracts of forest -- in some places it's sad to say, we still do.'' This process went on for thousands of years with trees being hacked and slashed.

Mrs. Burgess Fairn said: "Without a thought for the future. Without even a thought for our own future.

"Then a comparatively short time ago we came to our senses. We began to think about how we could preserve, protect, re-plant, recycle this wonderful resource.

"Respect for the environment became an issue all over the world and respect for trees was part of it.

"Here in our own tiny world of Bermuda we started earlier than most and we are making good progress. The Island's schools have already planted hundreds of trees. The US Base has begun a major planting and many groups and individuals are working on similar projects.'' Lord Waddington said: "No-one can doubt the importance of this campaign. At the back end of the 40s when the cedar blight hit Bermuda many people must have wept when the hills were denuded of trees.'' He said the problems were worsened by Hurricane Emily, but since then work has been done with the intention of restoring the forests of Bermuda.

The tree planting also commemorated 200 years of the city of Hamilton. Mayor of Hamilton the Rt. Wor. Cecil Dismont said no-one could put a price on the work done by the organisations involved in Plant A Tree Year.

He said: "We have quite a few green areas in the City of Hamilton and we guard them jealously.'' Mr. Colin Furr, general manager of the Bank of Butterfield, pointed out that the Bank will donate seedlings to every depositor of $1,000 or more at Butterfield Mortgage and Finance, beginning Monday.

In addition, for each deposit the Bank will donate a seedling to the programme and they will be planted by Bank volunteers in the fall.

Mr. Furr said: "We are very proud to be involved in this important programme.

In 1989 the Bank was involved in a similar programme which resulted in over 1,000 new trees being planted in Bermuda.'' Secretary of the City of Hamilton, Mr. Roger Sherratt said that Par-La-Ville Road was one of the only city centre roads not to be tree-lined, even though it is a main route for horse and buggy operators to take visitors.

PLANT A TREE '93 -- Governor Lord Waddington plants a commemorative tree across the road from The Royal Gazette .