Apart from the risks of being sued is it simply that trees in cities are too expensive a luxury and cutting them down is a way of Councils saving money?

• Councils are doing this to save money on street sweepers. Bob, Wycombe
• Damn right! It’s bl**dy ridiculous that council idiots are felling old trees just so they can make cost savings on street repairs. I think the costs would be more than compensated for if we all lived in streets with more trees, given the benefits of shading, wildlife attraction, cleaner air … and just that feeling of being closer to nature. Councils… LEAVE THE TREES ALONE! Ross Marnie, Glasgow, Scotland
• Well done Vassili for highlighting the issue…the problem is, I think, you might be fighting a losing battle. The council can’t (or won’t) afford to keep large trees alive, they are too expensive to maintain and are cheaper dead. The insurers / solicitors insist the large growing trees should be felled to eliminate risks to buildings / people. And who is replacing them ? No one. At the current rate of loss there will be virtually no street trees in Bristol by 2050…(except a few cherry trees). I don’t know about other cities but I guess the pressures are similar…. This is the urban environment most people are voting for (if they can be bothered to vote) and willing to (not) pay for. So tree-less cities is what we will get…..Vas don’t give up hope, stand as a councillor to kick the current lot out…you’ll get my vote (and money for trees). Clive Stevens, Bristol
• I agree entirely with your article. I see trees being taken down all the time in Stamford, peterborough and pretty much everywhere. Not to mention all the benefits scientifically they provide a sense of coalition between modern housing and nature. I have always wanted to be part of a “Save the trees Group” and would love to see things likr this popping up in every major town and city across the country. I once shared a lift with a guy from the local council who was responsible for assesing if a tree could be taken down or not and he said it was more about how much money was on the table rather than environment and situation. Disgusting! Trees are a beautiful part of nature and offer some brief break from the highly stressful and chaotic daily life we all live. Thats gotta be worth alot! Antony, Stamford

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