COUNCILLOR Gilchrist should be applauded for opposing the planned removal of the trees at Acre Lane (Globe, November 12).

The number of trees that have been felled or removed in error, and at great cost to taxpayers, by Wirral Council in the last few years is alarming.

The most oft-cited reason is that the trees, in some way, threaten the built environment.

To suggest trees should be felled on the basis that their roots are "very close to buildings" earmarked for demolition would be laughable if it did not show such a woeful ignorance of the perceived threat, since tree roots always grow around structures.

Otherwise, any mature tree growing adjacent to a wall or house would have caused structural damage over its lifetime.

The protection of trees should always be the first consideration in development and demolition. Hopefully, readers will join the campaign to protect them too.

Louise Stothard,

Wirral tree wardens.