I SO agree with Robert Greaves (Letters, August 11), it is very disappointing, though not at all surprising, that the powers that be agreed to the destruction of a number of trees on the edge of the Clifton Moor retail park.

I hope there will be some supervision to ensure that once the axe is in use, only those specific trees marked for demolition are taken down. After all, once a tree is felled it is gone for ever and apologies are too late.

Replacing mature trees with saplings, which take years to grow, and are very vulnerable to vandalism, is not satisfactory compensation.

The reasons for a less-than- hoped-for footfall at Clifton Moor are much more complex than blaming the trees which slightly screen these temples of consumerism from passing motorists.

It seems that any excuse is good enough to damage our green and pleasant land.

Pamela Brown, Goodwood Grove, York