Brian Parker, of Cross­parks, Dartmouth, writes:

As an environmental scientist and woodsman, my natural inclination is to support any organisation that aims to ­conserve and enhance the ­natural environment. But not the Dartmouth Green Partnerships, if the letter by chairman Ms Stevie Rogers, Chronicle, February 18, really is an accurate statement of that organisation’s views and not just written on a bad day.

As expressed, these views are unbalanced, inaccurate and wrongly pessimistic. The true facts are very different.

Ms Rogers writes in general terms about ‘hedges being grubbed out and the town’s trees being felled (or butchered) and not replaced’, the ‘rate of destruction speeding up’ and so on. This miserable view can and should be countered by ­citing specific examples of ­positive improvements, which far outweigh the few losses, most of which were inevitable and for good reason.

In my years in Dartmouth the green credentials of the town have improved beyond bounds. Let’s take a tour of some of them.

The entrance to the town is much improved, with well-maintained plantings round the Newcomen and Town signs. Further down at the junction with Britannia Avenue, the small copse of trees with associated shrubbery shows good planning and upkeep. The main tree, a beech, is turning into a magnificent specimen, which will stand sentinel at the entrance to the Townstal estate for the next ­hundred years and more.

Further down, College Way is benefiting from the roadside trees maturing and visually narrowing this rather wide road. On the left, by the escape road, a view of the segment of the old field inside the college fence reveals the plantings of Himalayan birch, whose white trunks make an impressive stand at this time of year. These are part of the 200 or so trees of Britannia Wood, established in 2005 to commemorate the Battle of Trafalgar.

On the opposite side of the road we have the town orchard, already of interest but about to be improved immeasurably by enthusiastic volunteers, as reported in the Chronicle, February 18. And in the middle of the road more volunteers have turned the triangular ­traffic island into a treasure.

Down on the flat the Robinia trees along the embankment are maturing well. This species was particularly well chosen by South Hams Council, its leaf and flower form having a light touch, well suited to the airy position alongside the river.

The same professional competence by the district council is seen in the Royal Avenue Gardens, again with clever tree choice for the plaza in front of the bandstand, the design and upkeep of the gardens and good husbandry of the mature trees.

Ms Roger’s reference to butchered trees possibly refers to the cutting back of those along Mayors Avenue. Pollarding of townscape trees is necessary to control shape and size to extend their life as contributors to the green environment; if allowed to grow unchecked, such forest trees become unsafe and ­destined to early felling.

I can understand that the ­initial ‘shorn sheep’ appearance of such trees after cutback is not welcomed by the Green Partnership, whose successes with the Britain in Bloom ­displays are rightly lauded, but arboricultural maintenance has to be carried out.

Also in the environs of the town we have Crosby Meadow at the top of Crowthers Hill – no longer a meadow, but a secret wood. At the top of the town, by the leisure centre, a gravelled path has been created around the sports field and planted with many trees, including Monterey pine to match the existing belt there.

Down Old Mill Lane access to Sandquay Woods is both permitted and encouraged by Raleigh Estates by means of the car park now provided. These woods were once Norton Park’s pleasure grounds and offer much of interest.

Finally, in this limited list – apologies for omissions – there are significant improvements at the mouth of the estuary.

Sugary Green is now a ­registered village green and the Castle estate has been cleared of undergrowth to keep the many paths in commission. On the higher ground behind there are the Gallant’s Bower Civil War earthworks, cleared of trees by the National Trust and cut ­regularly to encourage primroses and other woodland flowers. This site, with its views over the sea, town and river, together with its emotive historical ­connections, is arguably one of the most rewarding places to visit in the whole of Devon.

All this speaks well of the environmental condition of the town and its environs. As to looking ahead, Ms Rogers’ doom-laden prognosis is flawed and will not come to pass.

With the continued professionalism and enthusiasm of all those involved – South Hams Council, the National Trust and others, not forgetting the many volunteers – the environmental future of the town is assured. It is both green and bright.