Tired of planes? Plant mulberries and elms
sir – As Christopher Howse mentioned (Sacred Mysteries, July 14 ), the Conservation Foundation organised the Trees for Sacred Spaces scheme, involving species of trees chosen for their benefits for pollinators and the ability to reduce air pollution.
We have also created awareness of London’s mulberry heritage through the website Morus Londinium, not to mention elms through the website Ulmus Londonium.
New York, Rome and Paris, as well as London, would look very different if the contributor to the Westminster Abbey Review had his way and planes were done away with.
David Shreeve
The Conservation Foundation London SW7 sir – Most of London’s magnificent street trees depend heavily for their survival on “unofficial irrigation” from leaking water mains and cracked sewer pipes.
London planes are particularly susceptible to drought. This activates the fungus Massaria (now renamed Splanchnonema platani) which in turn may lead to branches dying back and being shed.
London without mature plane trees would be unimaginable. They would take two generations to replace. But they need taking seriously. As water companies tackle their leaks there must also be a strategy for maintaining soil moisture in order to sustain these living air conditioners of the city. Chris Baines
Wolverhampton, Staffordshire