Tree officers do their best

Sir – Your correspondents Richard and Barbara Robinson took WHC to task over the issue of the Stanborough Poplars (WHT, August 13). While I agree with the writers that these trees are important, they go too far with their insults. I was unable to make it

Sir - Your correspondents Richard and Barbara Robinson took WHC to task over the issue of the Stanborough Poplars (WHT, August 13).

While I agree with the writers that these trees are important, they go too far with their insults.

I was unable to make it to the public meeting and have no personal knowledge of the state of the trees there.

The councillors and their tree officers have an unenviable task in making these type of decisions but as a tree warden, I know the tree officers to be conscientious and professional while working within a tight budget.

In your same issue you show the poplar that fell across Marley Road and in this unfortunate coincidence you cannot get a clearer illustration of the responsibility facing the council. I passed that particular tree frequently and never noticed anything dangerous about it, I went back yesterday to look at the stump and still couldn't see any serious sign of disease.

Like the Robinsons I take great pleasure in the tree cover of our borough but I wouldn't want the responsibility of taking these life-or-death decisions that the tree officers have to make regularly!

My experience is that our councillors are likewise keen to save trees.

They have recently set up a committee to formulate proposals to be put to the insurance industry in an attempt to gain some respite from ever more aggressive claims of subsidence allegedly caused by trees.

The publicity over the Stanborough poplars is good in that it has stimulated debate over tree-issues but if we want to save our large trees we all need to be working with the council not abusing them!

Adrian Toole, Sweet Briar, WGC.