THIS is an appeal to residents and developers ? of perhaps a slightly unusual sort.
A century and a half ago some fine trees were planted in many parts of the town, round the churchyard and Meadows and in the housing developments of those days in the hills rising up from the valley floor. As a result, all through the last century Tavistokians have enjoyed beautiful woodland surroundings.
Now, sadly, these old trees are coming to the end of their natural life. They have grown vulnerable to disease. They have not always been well cared for; some have become deformed, ugly and obstructive. Worst of all, some of the finest have been swept away by new unsympathetic building development.
The borough council has saved some, but new roads and houses tend to come first - and there is more such building to come. The ?treescape? around the town is under threat. Look around you! Would you agree that Tavistock is in danger of becoming rather bleak and grey and dull?
So I appeal through your columns to planners, builders and garden owners this winter, before it is too late to clean up the sick and straggling old trees. Now is the time to make plans to plant fresh young specimens to replace those we have lost recently.
The town council is leading the way with a replanting policy. Advice and help is available. We should all accept a duty to ensure our descendants have as green and pleasant a town as we have enjoyed in the past.
But, please no Leylandii! It is a nasty foreigner that grows quickly both upwards and sideways. All too frequently it becomes a monstrous hedge that blocks out light, dries up the ground and sets whole neighbourhoods at odds. Tavistock has too much of it.
The town needs good native English stock that will enhance the scene for many years to come.
Dick Eberlie