Safe at last

Eleven years ago, the state Department of Environ- mental Control declared that the Australian pines at Ft. Zach would have to go -- non-native species, invasive, feh.

Hundreds who love the shade, the sound of the sea breeze through the trees and esthetics in general rose up, organized, nagged, complained and nettled.

Last year, the state started cutting, and the caterwauling stepped up loud enough to drown out the chain saws.

And this week, finally, the state agreed that the pines could stay.

That swishing you hear is the laughter of trees.