Sir, Who would be a tree? Spread your leaves to the spring and someone wants to chop you down ! ('Should the axe fall...' p1 Tenby Observer 8.4.05). The red chestnut trees on the South Parade were gifted to the town by local individuals and organisations (including the Tenby Observer) through the Friends of Tenby; they, their heirs, and the members of the Civic Society will be more than concerned at the prospect of the removal of these trees. From autumn to spring they allow full winter light and sun onto the town walls and the footway, so all the walls are visible. Then, as the sun gets higher and hotter, the leaves spread shadow and shade and a graceful sheltering avenue forms. As your photograph shows, the offensive (to some) leaf cover starts quite high off the ground, so lots of the walls are always visible (if you keep your feet on the ground!). Along the section opposite the Garden of Remembrance, the trees that 'tower 10 to 15 feet' above the town walls serve to hide (for some of the year) buildings that 'tower' 10 to 15 feet (or more) above the walls - on the inside. If seeing the top of the town wall against the sky is vital, then concern should be expressed about these buildings dominating the town walls too. This issue was well understood by the applicant for the development on the Coburg Garage site, where no proposed buildings would be visible above the walls from South Parade. Periodic judicious pruning is needed to control the height and spread of the trees. The last pruning won an international prize. The pavement's current gentle undulations can be levelled by a highway authority alive to its responsibilities. But the impact of root systems is the really serious question - the extent of possible penetration of the town walls' foundations and water services needs careful assessment and investigation by CADW, the National Park's tree officer and the county council. Some measures can control root spread, so those who donated the trees and those who admire and value them need clear and expert information on this issue before they can accept the removal of an attractive and important avenue of trees. There certainly will be further debate on this issue (including in the Civic Society's next committee!), but no decisions can be justified until we have got to the real root of the problem !

Harry Gardiner, Chairman, Tenby Civic Society,

7 The Glebe, Tenby.