I AND all my friends have always been impressed by the magnificent trees growing out of the tarmac on Greenbank Road and Stanhope Road, in Darlington.

The West End of the town has many fine green spaces. Many trees in private gardens give the appearance from the air of an open woodland.

Attempts have been made to replace some of the trees on Greenbank lost in modern times but little saplings are easy victims to vandals walking home drunk on a Friday or Saturday night.

Why has a team of men been sent out to dig up tree stumps in the last few days? Some tree stumps were starting to grow back. Eventually another fine tree would have been there for future generations to enjoy.

Isn’t the quickest, cheapest, safest way of replacing trees to leave tree stumps well alone?

Tree stumps regrowing have a better long-term chance than any sapling in our urban environment.

Nigel F Boddy, Darlington.