Trees are good for the environment. They put oxygen back into polluted air. They provide homes for wildlife. They enhance landscapes with fresh greenery in spring and golden tints in autumn. However, unfortunately they can also get in the way of what would otherwise be a splendid open view.

That is what happened in the case of Luther Jackson's saplings - 35 young and semi-mature trees which were growing on the former parish councillor's land at Ilkley. Mr Jackson was disappointed that the trees, as they developed, started to mask the view of a nearby golf course and the River Wharfe from his home and from the Dalesway, which runs alongside.

And so, apparently with the best of intentions (one of which was to give ramblers a more open view), he arranged for a landscape gardener to cut them down. Unfortunately, though, he failed to realise that the saplings were covered by a Tree Preservation Order. The outcome yesterday was a £500 fine and £969 costs order, and a great deal of embarrassment.

There is a valuable lesson to be learned here for anyone who might feel tempted to severely prune or even fell any trees which are causing a nuisance either by overhanging their property or obstructing a view. We live in a society which sets great store by trees. It is unwise to assume that because any troublesome ones might be on your land, you can do what you want to them. Far better to check with the Council first before setting to work with a chainsaw.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.