Why planting trees is a growing challenge | Short letters

The ‘Plant a tree in ’73’ campaign (Weatherwatch, March 15) was successful because councils at the time could afford to employ their own highly qualified grounds maintenance staff, tree nurseries and landscape officers, of which I was one. Young trees had a higher chance of survival because municipal staff provided aftercare and were responsible for ongoing maintenance. Since then, municipalities have had to reduce their workforce and more work has been outsourced to non-specialized companies.
Gill Flynn
Sales, Cheshire

About 15 or 20 years ago I saw Mark Redhead’s email address (Letters, March 15) 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.
Brand Redhead
Oxford

As for music choices in hospitals (Letters, March 18), what about art? I visited my 80-year-old mother in a hospital in North London and she amusedly showed me one of the works of art on display in the geriatric ward: Death Valley, signed by one of the hospital’s surgeons.
Elizabeth Monger
Plymouth

Perhaps the Conservatives will postpone the election until later this year so that more people can become Prime Minister?
Lesley Edgar
Preston, Lancashire

Are the British Wildlife Photography Awards only open to men (Eyewitness, March 15)?
Richard Webb
Penistone, South Yorkshire