The “Plant a tree in ’73” campaign (Weatherwatch, 15 March) was successful because, at that time, councils could afford to employ their own highly qualified grounds maintenance staff, arboriculturists and landscape officers, of which I was one. Young trees had a higher rate of survival because council staff provided the aftercare and were responsible for ongoing maintenance. Since that time, councils have had to reduce staffing levels and more work is outsourced to nonspecialist firms.
Gill Flynn
Sale, Cheshire
About 15 or 20 years ago, I saw the email address of Mark Redhead (Letters, 15 March) at the bottom of a magazine article about his work. I sent him the message: “Great name!” He emailed back: “Are you the American academic or the one who writes sarcastic letters to the Guardian?” I was happy to confirm that I am not an academic.
Mark Redhead
Oxford
Re music choices in hospitals (Letters, 18 March), what about art? I visited my 80-year-old mother in a north London hospital and she was amused to show me one of the artworks displayed in the geriatric ward: Death Valley, signed by one of the hospital’s surgeons.
Elizabeth Monger
Plymouth
Perhaps the Conservatives are postponing the election until later in the year so more people can have a turn at being prime minister?
Lesley Edgar
Preston, Lancashire
Are the British Wildlife Photography awards only open to men (Eyewitness, 15 March)?
Richard Webb
Penistone, South Yorkshire
