THE report on the proposed devastating massacre of the mature trees at Clifton Moor Retail Park makes depressing reading, especially for all of those in Treemendous who work so hard to promote more tree planting across greater York.

Our efforts were recognised in 2013 by being commended as a finalist in The Press Community Pride Awards for Best Community Project.

Treemendous was formed in 2011 as a voluntary not-for-profit group, supported by City of York Council, bringing together organisations and individuals with an interest in tree and hedgerow planting to drive forward a programme of planting at least 50,000 trees locally within the next few years.

We recently passed the 10,000 mark, working over 60 sites, both public and private, and we are always looking for new opportunities.

What is particularly worrying in this case is the fact that the splendid mature hedgerows along Water Lane and Green Lane leading up to Clifton Moor have already been removed or are under threat.

We are faced with the daunting prospect of fighting a losing battle against those who would seek to destroy part of our living heritage in the name of development.

We urge the property owners to think again.

Philip Crowe, Chair of Treemendous York, Clifton, York