Landscape Gardening ?

The trees in the above picture are due for the chop. One or two may be left standing because birds quite like trees. This is a decision taken by SWT, non negotiable and with no role in the decision taken by the R.A.G. In fact the complaints at the recent meeting were dismissed. To the right of this scene is the area where a similar group of trees was poisoned about 5 years ago. In that incident the destruction of mature trees numbered over 60 specimens.

In these decisions no account is taken of the aesthetic value of the trees or of the wishes of those who walk here. SWT have no qualification in aesthetic matters anyway so any claim that they will take this into account when choosing to leave some trees standing would be nonsense.

There is a detectable confusion about the underlying justification for this action. We are told that the trees encroach onto heathland which is a prime conservation target. But this is not lowland heath it is upland moor vegetation of which there is plenty around here. And heathland anyway has no purpose today apart from to service the narrow agenda of conservation organisations. Its origin was a now defunct economic need, certain species of wildlife adapted to it and natural forces are now moving in. Those who want to cut trees to recreate a now outdated artificial vegetation should be subjected to a rigorous audit before any more public money is put to this dodgy project.