COMMERCIAL conifer plantations attract a lot of criticism from conservationists, but is this necessarily justified?

True, many older plantations were set out unscientifically, with little regard for the requirements of the trees or the basic ecology of the sites. But in recent years, especially on Forestry Commission land, there have been welcome signs of change.

Why appreciate conifers? Apart from the beauty and interest of the trees themselves (when given half a chance to grow properly), most are, of course, evergreen and their dense foliage provides excellent cover for wildlife, especially birds, in the depths of winter when precious little shelter is to be had from our native broadleaves.

Also, many conifers produce their seed in winter and, as a food source, this is a godsend to birds.

Given the current state of our national ecology, introduced species are not necessarily bad news. Properly managed, such species enrich and adorn our native landscape.

Tony Kelly, Crook, Co Durham