Dear Reader,
Mr David Earle’s critique of Richard Nairn’s (already controversial) viewpoint about the Ivy plant, highlighted something of paramount importance: the plant’s unrestrained proliferation everywhere, which in his estimation, taints the picturesque view of our trees, specifically in the autumnal and wintery seasons. My correspondent from Monkstown, Co Dublin, stated it’s not a question of Ivy’s potential environmental benefits, but rather its dominance and unchecked spread even in communal green spaces. Furthermore, it’s hardly surprising, he notes, that the author had to condition himself to appreciate this misunderstood Irish flora, emphasising the complexity of this matter. – Kind regards.