• THE letter from Gwen Manning (Our mature trees matter, February 8) about trees in South End Green makes interesting reading for me as a former Camden councillor.

Funnily enough these trees were in my mind as I walked past them the other day. On the corner opposite the regrettably closed public conveniences, there is a chestnut that back in about 2002 dropped a couple of heavy branches, narrowly missing a passer-by. Chestnuts of a certain age can be dangerous.

Threatened by its felling, Jill Aitchison, a committed local resident led a campaign to replace this tree, not immediately but by planting another close by. The other day I saw the younger tree looking healthy but the original one still there.

Vigilance by local people is important, but practical solutions put to listening council staff is the next step. And then collaboration must follow to achieve the best result.

GERRY HARRISON
County Clare, Ireland