THIS week I was disgusted and amazed to receive information from West Devon Borough Council that a 'tree preservation order — vicinity of Down Road Tavistock' would come into effect as from June 30 2008. I consider this to be the worst case of 'closing the stable door after the horse has gone' that I have ever encountered. Why was this preservation order not made two years ago when the selling of gardens for property development, and subsequent desecration of gardens, began in this area? Unfortunately, the preservation order is too late for many beautiful trees which have already been felled. What is really sad about this loss of trees is that they were not sacrificed for the benefit of the community — not one 'affordable' house has been built in this area as a result of the development of gardens. Jenny Vogelaar Down Park, Tavistock