Despite a move by government to remove casuarina trees from coastal areas of Nassau, support for the casuarinas appears to be almost as resilient as the tree itself.
    To some, casuarinas are "weeds" that happen to be trees, and their only redeeming features are that they make good charcoal and provide shade on the beach.
    To others - aside from being an invaluable source of oxygen - the casuarina is a "significant" part of the Bahamian beach scene that not only offers shade, but also a source of protection.
    Also called Australian pines, the casuarina emigrated by sea from Australia to many tropical and sub-tropical countries, and for decades has offered protection from the harsh sun and sea salt.
    Government plans to remove all casuarinas from Goodman's Bay and Saunders Beach has sparked a controversy, and has prompted well known Bahamian artist Antonius Roberts to create a work of art dedicated solely to what is often called the "pest tree."
    As part of the "On Another Level Exhibition" at the College of The Bahamas Art Gallery, featuring local artists such as Brent Malone, Max Taylor and John Cox, Mr. Roberts' latest installation The Last of the Casuarina Tree is a last ditch effort to save the fast diminishing casuarina.
    Coordinator of the college's art gallery, Mr. Roberts described the exhibition as unique because of the cross-section of work.
    "The show is set up to inspire our present art majors and expose them to many different approaches in art," says Mr. Roberts, "so persons can expect to see non-traditional stuff and it is hoped that this will not only inspire students, but educate the public as well."
    The Last of the Casuarina Tree includes remnants of casuarina tree trunks taken from Goodman's Bay, dangling Kalik bottles filled with sand and life size versions of the many letters, editorials and columns written on behalf of the casuarina, (see photo).
    Mr. Roberts, explaining the significance of the bottles, said that "abundant" Kalik bottles are based on a "protective" West African tradition. "As a boy growing up I was frightened every time I saw a bottle hanging in a tree. The bottle in this sense is a type of guard that may save the trees, and frighten whoever attempts to cut them down," he said.
    He pointed out that if casuarinas continue to be destroyed at the present rate, by the year 2010, all casuarina trees on the island will be completely wiped out. "Whether we like it or not, they are a part of our heritage. I remember enjoying the casuarinas as a young boy, playing among them at Montagu beach, parking under a tree enjoying shade. The casuarina tree is part of the experience. It doesn't matter whether or not they are indigenous," Mr. Roberts said.
    It is often said that one man's poison is another man's meat, or in this case, one man's weed is another man's flower.