Madam, - I refer to Frank Folan's recent letter regarding "Tree-felling in the Phoenix Park" (April 28th) and wish to clarify the reason for the felling of 13 "Cypress Macra Carpa" (cypress evergreen) trees at the visitor centre.
The trees, which are not native to the park, were planted 80 years ago and were located too close to the 1850s Victorian Walled Garden, a protected structure. We had been concerned for both the safety of visitors and indeed the stability of the wall with falling limbs and boughs from these trees and had planned for their replacement. During the last month we have planted 50 beech trees and 30 oak trees within the area of the visitor centre to both compensate for the loss of the evergreens and provide a more sustainable habitat for birds and wildlife. The OPW operates a very positive programme of tree planting and biodiversity and totally rejects the comments made by Mr Folan. - Yours, etc,
GEORGE MOIR, Public Relations Officer, Office of Public Works, St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2.