Sir – Regarding increased tree-planting to absorb water along the Thames: I am sure the recent flooding problems must have been exacerbated by the actions of British Waterways.

They embarked on a large tree-felling programme which I became aware of in 2011. A considerable number of the most mature trees were felled along the canal opposite Rewley Road.

Trees seemed to be selected for their size, as smaller trees that were obviously diseased or dead were left standing. I telephoned British Waterways and asked them why they were doing this.

I was told it was for ‘Health and Safety’ reasons because one woman was killed by a branch falling on her boat. Even though this branch was not from a tree on British Waterways’ land, they decided to embark on the massive felling programme as a precautionary measure.

I know it was a massive programme because I have an email from their enterprise manager saying the project involved the felling of some 6,500 trees.

Their felling policy did not include clearing up the arisings for ‘economic reasons’. So, we have a situation where thousands of mature trees are felled and new ones prevented from growing because the arisings are left on the ground. British Waterways did say they were going to replace some trees in the conservation area — nine in total — but I have seen no evidence of this over two years later.

Their policy also seems to have resulted in the de-stabilisation of the banks as many more of the surviving trees have fallen into the river this year than they had in previous floods.

Of course, the soil from the destabilised banks will contribute to the silting-up of the river. I am very surprised that, as far as I am aware, nobody seems to have questioned British Waterways’ policy or insisted that they reinstate some of the felled trees.

Annette White, Oxford