SIR, — One can only sympathise with the sentiments of John and Rosalind Drysdale and their lament over the loss of the cherry trees on Harpenden s East Common (Herts Advertiser, March 20). The quote from A.E. Housman s A Shropshire Lad was extremely apt.

SIR, - One can only sympathise with the sentiments of John and Rosalind Drysdale and their lament over the loss of the cherry trees on Harpenden's East Common (Herts Advertiser, March 20). The quote from A.E. Housman's A Shropshire Lad was extremely apt.

Alas, these are not the only cherry trees that will never again be seen "wearing white for Eastertide". A similar loss has occurred in Fishpool Street, St Albans, in the grounds to the side of Bank House, number 122. There, four cherry trees were once a delight to behold, especially at this time of the year. They have been reduced to stumps as well.

How this happened would make a poignant tale about the planning system and the fate of trees adjacent to a listed building in a Conservation Area. The apparent cavalier way all these trees have been treated is very sad.

Questions ought to be asked and lessons certainly learned so as to help prevent any further losses across the city and district.

As someone who has also responded to the district council's Tree Warden Scheme, I feel particularly sensitive and powerless over what has taken place.

ERIC ROBERTS,

Fishpool Street, St Albans.