Councils must put tree safety first | Letters

Sheffield's protesters need to be aware of the danger of trees falling over, writes Paul FaupelThe sudden collapse of a 200-year-old oak in Madeira, killing 13 and injuring many others (Report, 16 August), is a salutary warning to the tree protesters of Sheffield (Report, 16 August). Local authorities and other custodians of parklands and highways have a duty to ensure that trees do not endanger the public when they deteriorate through age or disease. Inspecting trees is a specialist task best carried out by trained professionals. Doubtless Sheffield city council has been doing just that. If a tree collapsed on the protesters or damaged their properties they would be protesting against the council, and more likely suing them, for failing to safeguard them. The hapless council is damned if it does and damned if it doesn't take action.Paul FaupelSomersham, Cambridgeshireo Join the debate - email guardian.letters@theguardian.com Continue reading...