IT is excellent news that some local authorities are discovering urban forestry, particularly one the size of Glasgow ("Scotland's industrial wastelands to be turned into forests", The Herald, February 5). Meanwhile, the Scottish Reporter appears to be happy to grant developers permission to build extensively on perfectly decent farmland in greenbelt-designated areas despite significant local objection, including that of local authority planning departments. If building on the greenbelt is on occasion unavoidable, perhaps developers should be required to undertake, and ensure the maintenance of, significant tree planting on these sites.

Eric Duncan,

11a Muirend Road, Cardross.