Where have all the trees gone?

The big trees are fast disappearing from Igboland.  In the Ngwa area from which I hail, that was the frightening discovery I made during my visit in August, 2004.  There no apu trees in Amapu, nor orji trees in Amorji, no egbu trees in a market called Nkwo Egbu, no ugba trees in Ugba Junction, no ahaba to be seen along a road that used to be known as Okporo Ahaba.
-http://www.amadipress.com/Tales%20of%20Igbo%20Childhood.htm

I stumbled on the above piece, while looking for information relating to the different peoples that make up Nd’Igbo.

I find this piece laden with a certain nostalgia and symbolism that resonates with me.

This is not about ethno-centric nationalism but the nostalgia of one who left home an African child, but who has become gradually lost in the maze of trying to be a man of the world…

To my shame, I know very little about our people and our culture.

And while there are many out there who will be quick to jump up and point the ‘more-Igbo-than-thou-fingers’ at me, I think that the problem is a lot deeper than my lack of knowledge about our history and our identity. It has become a problem that afflicts most Africans-nay most young people of all cultures-in this age of the global village,

The last time I went home and visited Aba and then my village in Ngwa land, and later saw the level of infrastructural and moral decadence that had taken us hostage, I left with a certain pain gripping my chest. A pain that lingered long after I had bid my kinsmen goodbye and boarded the plane, yet again, on my journey back to ala bekee, the land of the 'white man' where I have made my home in my quest for a place of refuge for my soul.

Where have all the trees that were to have symbolised our resurgent sence of pride and liberty gone?

In his poem titled 'Africa', David Diop made reference to the significance of the trees thus:

That tree over there
Splendidly alone amidst white and faded flowers
That is your Africa springing up anew
Springing up patiently, obstinately
Whose fruit bit by bit acquires
The bitter taste of liberty.
                -David Diop (1927-1960)

If we don't act fast, deforestation is gonna to change not only the face of Igboland, but Africa forever.

We as a continent are only second to South America when it comes to how fast deforestation is occurring.

What's even worse is that after we cut the trees down, hardly anyone ever plants the seeds for new ones to grow.

Funny My dad and a family friend was discussing this same issue the last time we visited the village. I heard some of those trees can be as old as 200 years. Truly very sad