IN reply to Mrs Lucy Smith (Letters, Sept ember 11) regarding 'pruning those trees':- She is absolutely right that with big forest trees all around us and given exceptional (extreme) weather conditions, we could have disastrous consequences, but what must be remembered is that a risk factor of '0' does not exist with trees, nor in life.
A tree is a risk but what makes the difference is whether it is considered an 'acceptable risk' or a 'non-acceptable' risk. A sound healthy tree is generally considered an 'acceptable risk'. A rotten or heavily pruned tree a potential 'non-acceptable' risk given its situation - in the middle of a field it is unlikely to harm anyone or anything, but in the middle of a heavily frequented public park, or beside a house, it could very easily do so.
There are specialised people (consultant arborists) who are able to asses tree risk and I urge all tree owners be they private or public to do so before carrying out 'heavy pruning' which leaves a tree in a mutilated state and unable to defend itself (biologically).
Our amenity trees are an asset to our community and part of our national (international) heritage. We need to look after them carefully so that everyone can benefit . . . not massacre them.
And let's not forget, we need trees, they don't need us.
Paul O'Regan
Qualified arborist
Mwoolleyarborist@aol