NASSAU, Bahamas -- The Antiquities Monuments and Museums Corporation (AMMC) is the recipient of a gift of two mahogany trees thanks to the New Providence Road Improvement and Infrastructure Project (NPRIIP).

The trees are two of six mature Mahogany trees recently removed from in front of the Prince Charles Shopping Centre and relocated to the grounds of Centreville House which is also known as Collins House.

“We thought it was a wonderful opportunity to make a positive contribution to the efforts of the AMMC,” said Shenique Albury, environmental specialist assigned to the NPRIIP in the Ministry of Public Works and Transport.

“We feel that this is a positive environmental impact rather than these trees being lost. The preferred option from an environmental point of view is to transplant them rather than cut them down.”

Ms Albury explained that the NPRIIP comprises a “strong” environmental component.

“The contractor has developed environmental management plans that encompass all of the road corridors. According to the plans, the contractor is mandated to transplant any tree that is protected by law.”

Mahogany trees have been discovered on several of the road corridors that fall under NPRIIP. Among them are three trees found on corridor 1A (near the Police Station at East Street South) in November 2009.

“The trees were outside the wall of the junction and in the way,” said Ms Albury. “We had to straighten the road so we aligned the East Street side, which was really shifted south to meet Zion Boulevard.”

Ms Albury revealed that Jose Cartellone Construcciones Civiles (contractor) has transplanted other trees during the road project beyond what is required by law.

They include Royal Palm trees, previously on Robinson Road in front of ASA H. Pritchard, which have been removed and transplanted on the new six-legged roundabout to accommodate the widening of the road there.

“We do not just go and take the trees out of the ground and relocate them,” she said. “The first step is pre-stressing of the tree. This involves a root pruning process where we actually cut around a portion of the root, backfill and leave the tree for an average of three months. Depending on the species of the tree the time can be longer or shorter.

“When a portion of the root is cut, it stimulates the tree to start regenerating the roots that they have lost. Within three months new roots can begin to grow so that prior to moving the tree you are allowing it to develop new roots.

“When the time comes to remove the tree from the ground and relocate it, the tree would already have begun to grow new roots. In the process of moving, the new roots are normally not damaged.”

The four remaining trees removed from Prince Charles Drive were placed on Corridor 5, the link between Saunders Beach and the six- legged roundabout.

Senior assistant archaeologist at AMMC Michael Pateman said the Mahogany said the trees would assist with enhancing the overall environment and bringing back the beauty of the grounds of Centreville House as the restoration takes place.